2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in New York
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & journalism education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 111 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools in New York. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $29,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny City 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 City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,827 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $42,734. Set against $15,827 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,054 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,035 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $24,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #7 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $12,928. 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. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #8 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $8,643. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $26,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College came in at #9 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. 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 College Of Staten Island landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Monroe Community College placed #11 among the best values for communication & journalism. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 came in at #12 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,511 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $23,307. Set against $8,511 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #13 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
Farmingdale State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $16,870 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Orange County Community College came in at #15 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College earned the #16 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,000. 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.
Cuny York College landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $24,535. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome came in at #18 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,625, with out-of-state students paying around $21,215. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,689. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome generally make around $56,541. That is a strong return on a $22,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Onondaga Community College landed the #19 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,545 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $29,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,545 median debt.
Dutchess Community College earned the #20 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Students from in state pay about $5,670 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,998 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Dutchess Community College earn a median of $17,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College placed #21 among the best values for communication & journalism. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $8,764. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #22 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,900 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $29,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Broome Community College earned the #23 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,293 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Broome Community College earn a median of $41,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,293 median debt.
Suny College At Oswego placed #24 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,156. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $36,409. Set against $26,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $41,070. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & journalism value ranking:
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
View All Communication & Journalism Rankings >
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 · 111 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 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.
