2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Associate’s Degree Schools
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 157 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & journalism students.
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2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
West Valley College tops our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools in the United States. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,308. Communication & Journalism graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $9,776. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,075. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo placed #6 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College landed the #8 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #9 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Skyline College came in at #10 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Austin Community College District placed #11 among the best values for communication & journalism. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $8,627 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $26,951. Set against $8,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #12 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $5,500. Communication & Journalism graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College came in at #13 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
De Anza College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #15 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College came in at #18 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Golden West College earned the #19 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,500. Communication & Journalism graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College placed #20 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Oxnard College earned the #21 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Orange Coast College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College earned the #23 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College placed #24 among the best values for communication & journalism. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & journalism value ranking:
Other Communication & Journalism Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Communication & Journalism rankings across degree levels:
View All Communication & Journalism Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 157 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 157 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
