2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
For return on investment in communication & journalism, no school beat University Of Washington Tacoma Campus this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,433 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $44,638. Set against $16,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned it the #2 place for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $16,433. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $44,638. Set against $16,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,338 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $46,051. Set against $14,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Washington State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,059. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $44,407. Set against $21,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Eastern Washington University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $37,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Central Washington University earned the #6 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,797 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $39,662. That is a strong return on a $22,797 median debt. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Washington University earned the #7 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $18,026. Communication & Journalism graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $34,442 early in their careers. Set against $18,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Pacific Lutheran University came in at #8 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,916. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,499 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $33,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Martins University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,510. Students borrow a median of $22,818 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Saint Martins University generally make around $60,864. Set against $22,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Martins University admits about 90% of applicants.
The Evergreen State College landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Olympia, The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,264, while out-of-state students pay about $31,905. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $26,942. That is a strong return on a $21,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #11 for value in communication & journalism this year. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,260. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Whitworth University landed the #12 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. Students from in state pay about $52,880 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $39,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Seattle University came in at #13 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,050 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $36,937 early in their careers. Set against $19,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Gonzaga University placed #14 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,038. Communication & Journalism graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of $38,579 early in their careers. Set against $26,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gonzaga University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Puget Sound ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Puget Sound earn a median of $29,477 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
[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.
