2027 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among communication & journalism schools in Florida. 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. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,358. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,933 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,358 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,358. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $41,677. That is a strong return on a $17,358 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
A rank of #3 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $43,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gulf Coast State College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,635. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $8,286. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $49,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #7 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, 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. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #8 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $12,607 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,272. Set against $12,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Seminole State College Of Florida earned the #9 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $18,419. Communication & Journalism graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,481. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,433. That is a strong return on a $17,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Florida State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,171. Communication & Journalism graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $44,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,171 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The University Of West Florida earned the #12 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $43,719. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of North Florida ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $17,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #14 spot for communication & journalism value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,096 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $37,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,226 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $38,497 early in their careers. Set against $20,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Valencia College came in at #16 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $42,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Stetson University earned the #17 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,410. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Stetson University generally make around $33,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stetson University admits about 72% of applicants.
Lorenzo Walker Technical College landed the #18 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Naples, Lorenzo Walker Technical College is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Lorenzo Walker Technical College generally make around $36,815.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University landed the #19 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,846 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $31,479 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,846 median debt. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
Bethune Cookman University came in at #20 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Bethune Cookman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,794. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Bethune Cookman University generally make around $25,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethune Cookman University admits about 88% of applicants.
Edward Waters College came in at #21 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Edward Waters College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,366. Median earnings reach $34,782 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Saint Leo University came in at #22 for value in communication & journalism this year. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,000. Students borrow a median of $32,116 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Saint Leo University earn a median of $49,458 early in their careers. Set against $32,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Barry University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $34,350. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $31,180. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $64,906. That is a strong return on a $31,180 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Florida College came in at #24 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Temple Terrace, Florida College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,360. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,134 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Florida College generally make around $40,888. That is a strong return on a $16,134 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
William T Mcfatter Technical College landed the #25 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Davie, William T Mcfatter Technical College is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of William T Mcfatter Technical College earn a median of $28,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for communication & journalism this year:
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
View All Communication & Journalism Rankings >
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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
