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2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

47 Ranked Colleges
18,342 Degrees Awarded
$8,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Communication & Journalism is the 11th most popular major in the country with 120,571 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, communication and journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,266 and had an average of $24,758 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 18,342 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,856 and $20,624 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 47 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication and journalism. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and journalism programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication and journalism program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The communication & journalism school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Journalism (Income $30-$48k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 55 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $1,581 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Stanford Communication & Journalism Report

2

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 308 students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $9,999 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of California - Berkeley

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 306 students in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also took the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $11,598 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Davis Communication & Journalism Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 271 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,176 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of California - San Diego

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 364 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,701 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State LA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Communication & Journalism Report

6

California State University - Fullerton landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 962 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $5,821 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Cal State Fullerton

7

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 477 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,606 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCSB.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at UCSB

8

California State University - Fresno landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 187 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $4,655 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at California State University - Fresno

9

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 550 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSULB has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,573 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSULB.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at CSULB

10

California State University - Sacramento landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 533 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $9,055 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at California State University - Sacramento

11
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 908 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, USC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,345 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USC.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Southern California

12

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSUSB is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 166 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $6,613 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full CSUSB Communication & Journalism Report

13

California State University - Stanislaus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 75 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $4,903 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Stan State

14
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 531 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, SDSU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,274 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SDSU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full SDSU Communication & Journalism Report

15

California State University - Northridge came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 955 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,103 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full California State University - Northridge Communication & Journalism Report

16

University of California - Irvine came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 32 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $8,449 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UC Irvine Communication & Journalism Report

17

California State University - San Marcos ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUSM is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 231 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSM, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUSM is $10,348 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at CSUSM

18

California State University - Bakersfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school handed out 109 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUB is $6,046 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Communication & Journalism Report

19

With a ranking of #19, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 199 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $3,329 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at CSUDH

20
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

San Diego Mesa College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this fairly large public school handed out 75 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for San Diego Mesa College is $5,543 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at San Diego Mesa College

21
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 541 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, San Jose State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,378 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Jose State University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at San Jose State University

22
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 598 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,862 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Francisco State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at San Francisco State University

23

California State University - East Bay ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 154 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $11,025 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Cal State East Bay

24

California State University - Channel Islands came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Camarillo, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 146 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

CSUCI also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend CSUCI is $13,125 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at California State University - Channel Islands

25

California State University - Chico ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 151 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Chico State also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $13,040 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Chico State

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