2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in North Carolina
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
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2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in North Carolina
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
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among communication & journalism schools in North Carolina. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $49,991. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #2 place for communication & journalism. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $30,559. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,031. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $38,234. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Western Carolina University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $20,840 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $27,805 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,840 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,643. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $28,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #6 among the best values for communication & journalism. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $23,125. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $27,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
East Carolina University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $45,745. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $39,889 early in their careers. Set against $22,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $29,663. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $26,411. That is a strong return on a $29,663 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University came in at #10 for value in communication & journalism this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $29,417 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $24,210 early in their careers. Set against $29,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Appalachian State University came in at #11 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,455 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $35,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Davidson College placed #12 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,430 in tuition and fees. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $41,505. That is a strong return on a $19,906 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Central University came in at #13 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Students borrow a median of $29,662 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $25,750. Set against $29,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Winston Salem State University came in at #14 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,126, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,096. Communication & Journalism graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $24,899 early in their careers. Set against $27,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #15 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,695. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Gardner Webb University landed the #16 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,033. Communication & Journalism graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $63,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Wingate University placed #17 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,576. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,400 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Wingate University earn a median of $40,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,400 median debt. Wingate University admits about 91% of applicants.
Meredith College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,630. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Meredith College generally make around $40,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Meredith College admits about 74% of applicants.
Barton College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the town of Wilson, Barton College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,000. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Barton College generally make around $43,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Wake Forest University earned the #20 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $42,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
Queens University Of Charlotte ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Queens University Of Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $45,846. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Queens University Of Charlotte generally make around $42,489. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Queens University Of Charlotte admits about 62% of applicants.
High Point University landed the #22 spot for communication & journalism value this year. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,312. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $113,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Elon University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,887. Communication & Journalism graduates of Elon University earn a median of $34,213 early in their careers. Set against $20,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
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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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
