2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 293 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
For return on investment in communication & journalism, no school beat Suffolk County Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $15,827 to complete the communication & journalism program here. 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. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $12,283 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $29,023 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $11,035 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $24,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #6 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $9,875. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $31,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #7 for value in communication & journalism this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,928 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $30,732. That is a strong return on a $12,928 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Nassau Community College earned the #8 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $29,016 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $8,643. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $26,437. That is a strong return on a $8,643 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #10 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Monroe Community College landed the #11 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $27,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #12 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $8,511. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $23,307 early in their careers. Set against $8,511 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College earned the #13 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,870 in student loans. 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%.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #15 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,230. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange County Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Students borrow a median of $14,152 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $43,442. That is a strong return on a $14,152 median debt.
County College Of Morris placed #18 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $15,905. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Erie Community College landed the #19 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College placed #20 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,125 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $40,102. That is a strong return on a $7,125 median debt.
Union County College earned the #21 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $7,350 in student loans. 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.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Students borrow a median of $11,154 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $43,322. That is a strong return on a $11,154 median debt.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #23 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $22,450 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $45,633. That is a strong return on a $22,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome placed #24 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,625 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,215 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,689 median debt. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
Ocean County College earned the #25 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Ocean County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, with out-of-state students paying around $6,970. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,792 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $41,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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), 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 · 293 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 116 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.
