2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Maryland

[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & journalism students.
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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Maryland
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Leading the list is Montgomery College, our #1 best value for communication & journalism in Maryland. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. 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. Communication & Journalism graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Harford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, compared with $8,832 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,624 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $50,636. Set against $12,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland University College earned it the #3 place for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,971 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $53,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,971 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Prince Georges Community College earned it the #4 place for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,034 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,949 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. 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. 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. Set against $22,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Salisbury University landed the #6 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $34,704. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Frostburg State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $28,720. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Morgan State University placed #8 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $31,593. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $28,089. Set against $31,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Towson University earned the #9 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,926 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Towson University earn a median of $30,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,926 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $82,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #11 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $30,737. That is a strong return on a $24,389 median debt. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Baltimore ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $28,750. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $33,788 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Mcdaniel College landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,081. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Mcdaniel College generally make around $32,402. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Bowie State University placed #14 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,218, while out-of-state students pay about $19,938. Students borrow a median of $28,474 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Bowie State University generally make around $52,873. That is a strong return on a $28,474 median debt. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Hood College earned the #15 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,700. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,703. Communication & Journalism graduates of Hood College earn a median of $20,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Goucher College earned the #16 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Goucher College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,350 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Goucher College generally make around $43,670. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Mount St Marys University earned the #17 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emmitsburg. Students from in state pay about $48,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,312. Communication & Journalism graduates of Mount St Marys University earn a median of $39,055 early in their careers. Set against $26,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount St Marys University admits about 74% of applicants.
Stevenson University came in at #18 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,560 in tuition and fees. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,042 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Stevenson University earn a median of $42,647 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stevenson University admits about 79% of applicants.
Loyola University Baltimore placed #19 among the best values for communication & journalism. Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,150. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $44,201. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Maryland Institute College Of Art earned the #20 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $56,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $37,067. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.