2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 198 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
What’s on this page:
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
For return on investment in communication & journalism, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. 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 $43,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,827 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $42,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #3 place for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,621. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $27,644. That is a strong return on a $14,621 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Northridge came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,101. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,437. Set against $15,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #5 place for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,956. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $26,748. That is a strong return on a $11,956 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida International University earned the #6 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $12,607 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $37,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,607 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,068. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $22,133. Set against $15,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University East Bay came in at #8 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. 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. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #9 position for value in communication & journalism this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $56,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Weber State University earned the #10 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $16,566 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $67,928. That is a strong return on a $16,566 median debt.
University Of Central Florida ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,096. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $37,149 early in their careers. Set against $20,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida State University landed the #12 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,171. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,266. That is a strong return on a $14,171 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,481 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,416 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,481 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,054. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $48,543. That is a strong return on a $20,054 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Southern Utah University placed #15 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $47,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The University Of West Florida landed the #16 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $52,014 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of North Florida earned the #17 position for value in communication & journalism this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $17,345 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $42,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,350 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $76,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Stanford University earned the #19 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,825. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #21 among the best values for communication & journalism. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $20,624 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $32,365. Set against $20,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,338 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $45,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,338 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
San Jose State University landed the #23 spot for communication & journalism value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #24 spot for communication & journalism value this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $45,707. That is a strong return on a $11,180 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $70,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for communication & journalism this year:
Other Communication & Journalism Degree Levels
Explore the best-value communication & journalism schools at other 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 · 198 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 198 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.
