2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 220 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & journalism schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region
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 University Of Florida, our #1 best value for communication & journalism in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,358 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $42,933. That is a strong return on a $17,358 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,358 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $41,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for communication & journalism. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,500. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $49,991. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Hillsborough Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $44,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $32,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #6 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $12,607. Communication & Journalism graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $36,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
St Petersburg College came in at #7 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in communication & journalism this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,481. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $34,433. Set against $17,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,171. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $44,768. That is a strong return on a $14,171 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $19,139. Communication & Journalism graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $43,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $37,116. That is a strong return on a $20,096 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of North Florida earned the #12 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,345. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $42,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,345 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Dalton State College landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $14,955 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,594. That is a strong return on a $14,955 median debt.
Berea College came in at #14 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $5,801. Communication & Journalism graduates of Berea College earn a median of $30,663 early in their careers. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #15 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $18,419. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College landed the #16 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,286 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $49,086. That is a strong return on a $8,286 median debt.
Louisiana State University Alexandria landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Students borrow a median of $24,656 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $47,702. That is a strong return on a $24,656 median debt. Louisiana State University Alexandria admits about 92% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida came in at #18 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $43,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Northern Kentucky University placed #19 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,791 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $36,356 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,791 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
John Tyler Community College earned the #20 position for value in communication & journalism this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,262. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Itawamba Community College placed #21 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State University earned the #22 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,250. Communication & Journalism graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $37,923 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $28,350 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $76,507. Set against $28,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia landed the #24 spot for communication & journalism value this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $20,037 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $32,085 early in their careers. Set against $20,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for communication & journalism. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,805 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $40,773 early in their careers. Set against $23,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & journalism:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 220 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 220 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.
