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2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California

22 Ranked Colleges
922 Degrees Awarded
$24,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master's in California

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Communication & Journalism is the 11th most popular major in the country with 121,387 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, communication and journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,549 and had an average of $24,893 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 18,646 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,210 and $21,875 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 922 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in communication and journalism. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication and journalism programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication and journalism program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree communication & journalism students.

Top 22 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Journalism in California

#1

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Santa Barbara. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified masters’s communication and journalism students in 2019-2020.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at UCSB

#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communication and journalism degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

CSUN also took the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Northridge Communication & Journalism Report

#3

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communication and journalism degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree communication & journalism students list, SDSU has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at San Diego State University

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 38 masters’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Fullerton Communication & Journalism Report

#18 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

Fresno State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at California State University - Fresno

#6

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#9 in overall quality

San Jose State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree communication & journalism students list, San Jose State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full San Jose State Communication & Journalism Report

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 4 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at California State University - Long Beach

#8

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
#11 in overall quality

California Baptist University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California list. California Baptist University is located in Riverside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 masters’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree communication & journalism students list, Cal Baptist has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Baptist are $14,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Cal Baptist

#9

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#13 in overall quality

San Francisco State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. San Francisco State University is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 10 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at SFSU

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 5 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Chico State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Chico State

#11

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communication and journalism degrees to 58 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree communication & journalism students list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Berkeley Communication & Journalism Report

#12 in overall quality

California State University - Los Angeles came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 16 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at California State University - Los Angeles

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s communication and journalism students in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of California - Davis

#14

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California
#21 in overall quality

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #14. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communication and journalism degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at California State University - San Bernardino

#17 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 5 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Sac State

#22 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 12 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal State East Bay Communication & Journalism Report

#17

National University

La Jolla, California
#19 in overall quality

National University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. National University is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 33 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at National University, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at National University

#18

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#6 in overall quality

University of San Francisco ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California list. University of San Francisco is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 24 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USFCA, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of San Francisco are $26,710, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at USFCA

#19

Chapman University

Orange, California
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Chapman University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California list. Chapman University is a medium-sized school located in Orange, California that handed out 10 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Chapman did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chapman are $35,105, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Chapman

#20

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Academy of Art University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California list. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 32 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree communication & journalism students list, Academy of Art University has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Academy of Art University

#21

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s communication and journalism degrees to 479 students in 2019-2020.

USC also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Southern California

#22

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#2 in overall quality

Stanford University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #22. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 28 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree communication & journalism students list, Stanford has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stanford Communication & Journalism Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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