[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 775 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & journalism students.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, 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. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,827 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $42,734. That is a strong return on a $15,827 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,358 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $42,963. That is a strong return on a $17,358 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #4 place for communication & journalism. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,054. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,035 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $24,745 early in their careers. Set against $11,035 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,621 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $32,620. Set against $14,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. 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, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,358 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $41,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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 earned the #9 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $9,875. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $31,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Utah Valley University earned the #10 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $14,200 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $44,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,068 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $22,133 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #12 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,101. Communication & Journalism graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $29,484 early in their careers. Set against $15,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Fresno ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $33,050. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $12,928 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $30,113 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #15 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $30,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #16 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $18,769. Communication & Journalism graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $37,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $29,702 early in their careers. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #19 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #21 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $31,085 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $43,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #23 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $20,054 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $33,674. Set against $20,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University East Bay landed the #25 spot for communication & journalism value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $18,250. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $35,722. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & journalism value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 775 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 775 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
