2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Georgia
[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 43 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Georgia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Dalton State College tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools in Georgia. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Students borrow a median of $14,955 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $29,594 early in their careers. Set against $14,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Georgia came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,037 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $32,085 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,731. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $42,568. That is a strong return on a $22,731 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #4. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $28,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $76,507. That is a strong return on a $28,350 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Young Harris College earned it the #5 place for communication & journalism. Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Young Harris. In-state tuition and fees average $32,305. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,689 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,195 ten years after entry. Set against $24,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $29,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $26,706 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Savannah State University landed the #7 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Savannah State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. Students from in state pay about $5,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $33,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $24,310. Set against $33,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clayton State University earned the #8 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $34,493. That is a strong return on a $35,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Columbus State University earned the #9 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $32,078 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Augusta University came in at #10 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $30,520 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $30,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,520 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Georgia State University placed #11 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,038 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,964 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Middle Georgia State University generally make around $28,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville earned the #12 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public school located in the town of Milledgeville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,605. Students borrow a median of $13,587 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Georgia Military College Milledgeville generally make around $29,788. Set against $13,587 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Albany State University placed #13 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Albany, Albany State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,656, compared with $17,008 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $28,158. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $47,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,210. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,643. Set against $27,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia landed the #15 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $27,268 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $26,081 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $40,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia College And State University placed #17 among the best values for communication & journalism. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $38,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Georgia Southern University placed #18 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Students borrow a median of $25,698 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $40,574 early in their careers. Set against $25,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Toccoa Falls College placed #19 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the town of Toccoa Falls, Toccoa Falls College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,950 in tuition and fees. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,293 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $42,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Berry College earned the #20 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Berry, Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,486. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,965 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Berry College generally make around $36,931. That is a strong return on a $22,965 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Oglethorpe University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Atlanta, Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,590. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,800 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $34,113. Set against $26,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mercer University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,565. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,244 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $34,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,244 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Clark Atlanta University placed #23 among the best values for communication & journalism. Clark Atlanta University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $28,310. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $28,500. Communication & Journalism graduates of Clark Atlanta University earn a median of $21,413 early in their careers. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Morehouse College earned the #24 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Morehouse College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,893 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Morehouse College generally make around $26,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Savannah College Of Art And Design ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,630. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $50,209. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
