2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Idaho

[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 10 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Idaho
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication & journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Leading the list is Brigham Young University Idaho, our #1 best value for communication & journalism in Idaho. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $13,207. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $36,941. That is a strong return on a $13,207 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at College Of Western Idaho, which ranked #2. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $12,500. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $40,963.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Idaho one of the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $37,697. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Idaho State University one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $33,475. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boise State University earned it the #5 place for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Students borrow a median of $23,009 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $41,404 early in their careers. Set against $23,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.