2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in New Jersey
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & journalism students.
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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in New Jersey
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 Raritan Valley Community College, our #1 best value for communication & journalism in New Jersey. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes County College Of Morris one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $15,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $7,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $21,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ocean County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,906, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,792 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Ocean County College earn a median of $41,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlantic Cape Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $12,002. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $37,141. Set against $12,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kean University earned the #6 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Kean University earn a median of $27,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $36,898. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
New Jersey City University came in at #8 for value in communication & journalism this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,914 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $13,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,914 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #9 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $31,870 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned the #10 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $28,263. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #11 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $31,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Rowan University landed the #12 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $23,623. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $35,056. That is a strong return on a $23,623 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,754 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $37,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,754 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earned the #14 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,468. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $34,772. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rider University placed #15 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $45,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey placed #16 among the best values for communication & journalism. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $39,307. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Drew University landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,100. Students borrow a median of $26,449 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Drew University earn a median of $34,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,449 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Seton Hall University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,962 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $40,284. That is a strong return on a $19,962 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth University landed the #19 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $25,742. That is a strong return on a $26,380 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
