2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Mississippi

[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & journalism students.
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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Mississippi
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Itawamba Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools in Mississippi. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Holmes Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,145. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. 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 $40,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Mississippi State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Students borrow a median of $24,219 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $31,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $29,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
William Carey University came in at #7 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $25,079 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of William Carey University earn a median of $46,292 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,079 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Jackson State University placed #8 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,965, while out-of-state students pay about $11,965. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $31,624. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Jackson State University generally make around $24,235. That is a strong return on a $31,624 median debt. Jackson State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Mississippi College earned the #9 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,949. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.