[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1687 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & journalism students.
Leading the list is Cuny City College, our #1 best value for communication & journalism in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,827. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $42,734. Set against $15,827 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #2 place for communication & journalism. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,358. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $43,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $12,283 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $29,023. That is a strong return on a $12,283 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #4 place for communication & journalism. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,621. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,956. Set against $14,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #6 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $24,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online came in at #7 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,472 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $41,924. That is a strong return on a $17,472 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #8 position for value in communication & journalism this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $13,443 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $38,714. That is a strong return on a $13,443 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
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 very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,875 to complete the communication & journalism program here. 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.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #10 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $30,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno landed the #11 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $33,050. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #12 position for value in communication & journalism this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $15,068 to complete the communication & journalism program here. 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.
Cuny Lehman College placed #13 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $12,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $30,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #14 spot for communication & journalism value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,750. Communication & Journalism graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $32,408 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Northridge ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,101. Communication & Journalism graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $29,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #16 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $43,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #17 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $29,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #18 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #19 spot for communication & journalism value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,886 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $30,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,886 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Utah Valley University came in at #20 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $14,200 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $44,202 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,200 median debt.
Texas A And M International University earned the #21 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,100 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $22,430. That is a strong return on a $17,100 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,769 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $37,175 early in their careers. Set against $18,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $32,781. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #24 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $44,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #25 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $13,207. Communication & Journalism graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $36,941 early in their careers. Set against $13,207 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
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), 2026 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 · 1687 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 571 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.
