2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Far Western Region
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & journalism education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 181 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & journalism schools.
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2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in communication & journalism in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #2. 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, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
West Valley College came in at #3 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. 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.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,306. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Skyline College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #7 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $5,500. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College earned the #8 position 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, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,196. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #9 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Irvine Valley College placed #10 among the best values for communication & journalism. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, 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.
Oxnard College earned the #11 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Ventura College landed the #12 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. 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.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #13 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #15 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Santa Monica College landed the #16 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Pasadena City College landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $9,191. 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.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #18 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,692. Communication & Journalism graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $15,068 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $22,133. Set against $15,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cypress College came in at #20 for value in communication & journalism this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Modesto Junior College placed #21 among the best values for communication & journalism. 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. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $8,575. 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.
California State University Fullerton came in at #22 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, 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 $37,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Golden West College placed #23 among the best values for communication & journalism. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #24 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the communication & journalism program here. 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.
Citrus College landed the #25 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for communication & journalism this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 181 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 181 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.
