2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 177 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & journalism students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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 Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in communication & journalism in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,283 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $30,395. That is a strong return on a $12,283 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $15,827 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $42,734. That is a strong return on a $15,827 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Suffolk County Community College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,054. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,035. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $24,733. Set against $11,035 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #6 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $31,918. Set against $9,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #7 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $29,702. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #8 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,928 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $30,113 early in their careers. Set against $12,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #9 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,643 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $26,437 early in their careers. Set against $8,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College came in at #10 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,016. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Delaware County Community College earned the #11 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $7,125. Communication & Journalism graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College placed #12 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,511 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $23,307 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,511 median debt.
Monroe Community College earned the #14 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $27,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery College came in at #15 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris earned the #16 position for value in communication & journalism this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $15,905 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $13,068. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Farmingdale State College came in at #18 for value in communication & journalism this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $16,870. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $50,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Union County College placed #19 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $7,350. Communication & Journalism graduates of Union County College earn a median of $21,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College placed #20 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College came in at #21 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $37,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #22 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,450. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $45,517. Set against $22,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ocean County College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Students borrow a median of $13,792 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $41,306. That is a strong return on a $13,792 median debt.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome came in at #24 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,625, while out-of-state students pay about $21,215. Students borrow a median of $22,689 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $56,541 early in their careers. Set against $22,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
Lehigh Carbon Community College placed #25 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,450. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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
The ranking above is published 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 · 177 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 177 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.