2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Florida
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 67 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication & journalism schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
For return on investment in communication & journalism, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,358 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,277 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,358 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Florida Online is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $41,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seminole State College Of Florida earned it the #3 place for communication & journalism. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #4 place for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $43,508. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hillsborough Community College earned it the #5 place for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $16,142. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $32,771. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. 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. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $43,704. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Florida International University landed the #8 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $12,607. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,136. Set against $12,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,532. That is a strong return on a $17,481 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #10 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,226. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $38,815. That is a strong return on a $20,226 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $14,171 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $44,966. Set against $14,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #12 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,345 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $40,990. Set against $17,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. 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 $37,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Valencia College landed the #14 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $42,786. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Immokalee Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the town of Immokalee, Immokalee Technical College is a small public institution. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $40,949.
Saint Leo University came in at #16 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,000. Students borrow a median of $32,116 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $49,458. That is a strong return on a $32,116 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $31,389. Set against $26,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
William T Mcfatter Technical College came in at #18 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Davie, William T Mcfatter Technical College is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $28,512. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stetson University came in at #19 for value in communication & journalism this year. Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of DeLand. Students from in state pay about $57,410 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of Stetson University earn a median of $33,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Bethune Cookman University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Bethune Cookman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,794. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Bethune Cookman University generally make around $25,459. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Lorenzo Walker Technical College placed #21 among the best values for communication & journalism. Lorenzo Walker Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Naples. Communication & Journalism graduates of Lorenzo Walker Technical College earn a median of $36,815 early in their careers.
Ave Maria University placed #22 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the rural area of Ave Maria, Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,198. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Ave Maria University generally make around $36,842. Set against $19,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Florida Southern College earned the #23 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,040. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,955 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Florida Southern College earn a median of $35,023 early in their careers. Set against $25,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Southern College admits about 64% of applicants.
Webber International University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the rural area of Babson Park, Webber International University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,770. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,310. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $35,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern University landed the #25 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,950. Students borrow a median of $22,760 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $31,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & journalism:
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
View All Communication & Journalism Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
