[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 975 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
Finding the Best Value Communication & Journalism School for You
The communication & journalism program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in communication & journalism, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $12,283. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $30,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
West Valley College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,358. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
College Of The Canyons came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $9,776. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Cuny City College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $15,827 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $42,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Moorpark College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College placed #7 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo earned the #8 position for value in communication & journalism this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #10 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Saddleback College came in at #11 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #12 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,692. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College earned the #13 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #14 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,035. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $24,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,035 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #15 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #16 for value in communication & journalism this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,621. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $37,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Florida Online came in at #18 for value in communication & journalism this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,358 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $41,677. That is a strong return on a $17,358 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Austin Community College District placed #19 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $8,627. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $26,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #20 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #21 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,408. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College landed the #22 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $9,875. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $31,918. Set against $9,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Utah Valley University earned the #23 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $14,200 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $44,202. That is a strong return on a $14,200 median debt.
Irvine Valley College earned the #24 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for communication & journalism this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 975 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 975 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
