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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Journalism (Income $48-$75k) in California

47 Ranked Colleges
18,342 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 120,571 people earned their degree in communication and journalism, making the major the 11th most popular in the United States. 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 $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 47 colleges that offered a degree in communication and journalism. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication and journalism programs, but they also 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Journalism (Income $48-$75k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 55 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $7,081 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Stanford

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 308 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $13,423 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 University of California - Berkeley Communication & Journalism Report

3

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #3 spot on the list. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 306 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $14,193 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 477 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $14,583 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of California - Santa Barbara

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 271 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $14,310 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UCSD Communication & Journalism Report

6

California State University - Fullerton ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 962 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $9,017 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Cal State Fullerton Communication & Journalism Report

7

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 364 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,700 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Cal State LA

8

California State University - Long Beach came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 550 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, CSULB has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $11,189 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at CSULB

9

California State University - Fresno came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 187 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $8,030 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 full report on Communication & Journalism at Fresno State

10
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 908 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $22,826 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of Southern California

11

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 533 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,602 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.

Full California State University - Sacramento Communication & Journalism Report

12

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 166 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,854 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUSB.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at CSUSB

13

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,275 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UC Irvine.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at UC Irvine

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 $48-$75k ranking. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 531 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, SDSU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $14,698 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. 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 San Diego State University

15

California State University - Stanislaus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 75 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $7,976 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Stan State

16

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 955 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $10,780 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUN 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 $48-$75k list. California State University - San Marcos 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.

CSUSM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $14,309 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full California State University - San Marcos Communication & Journalism Report

18
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

San Diego Mesa College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this fairly large public school handed out 75 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,272 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Diego Mesa College.

Full San Diego Mesa College Communication & Journalism Report

19

With a ranking of #19, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 109 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,102 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.

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

20

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large school located in Carson, California that handed out 199 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $6,333 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full CSUDH Communication & Journalism Report

21
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 598 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

SFSU also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $16,065 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SFSU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at SFSU

22
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. San Jose State University is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 541 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $17,338 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.

Full San Jose State University Communication & Journalism Report

23

California State University - Channel Islands landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Camarillo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 146 students in 2020-2021.

CSUCI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Channel Islands is $16,151 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 CSUCI

24

With a ranking of #24, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school awarded 154 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $15,615 for California Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 California State University - East Bay Communication & Journalism Report

25

With a ranking of #25, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Chico is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 151 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,738 for california communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Chico State.

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%.

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

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