2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in North Carolina
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
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2026 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. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,500. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $49,991 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $30,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Western Carolina University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $20,840 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $27,356. Set against $20,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the best values for communication & journalism. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $38,234. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $27,682. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #6 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $27,643 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $28,985. That is a strong return on a $27,643 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #7 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #8 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,324. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $39,889. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University earned the #9 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,455 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $35,682 early in their careers. Set against $21,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
East Carolina University earned the #10 position for value in communication & journalism this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $45,745 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Fayetteville State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $29,417. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $24,210. That is a strong return on a $29,417 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Davidson College came in at #12 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $19,906. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $41,505. That is a strong return on a $19,906 median debt. Davidson College admits about 13% of applicants.
Winston Salem State University came in at #13 for value in communication & journalism this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,096 in student loans. 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. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Central University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $29,662 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $25,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #15 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. 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. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Catawba College placed #16 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,300. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Catawba College earn a median of $32,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Wingate University came in at #17 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,576. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,400. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Wingate University generally make around $40,438. Set against $25,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Johnson C Smith University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Johnson C Smith University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,300. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Johnson C Smith University earn a median of $26,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Gardner Webb University landed the #19 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,750. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $63,220. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gardner Webb University admits about 77% of applicants.
Campbell University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,600. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $31,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Campbell University admits about 87% of applicants.
Wake Forest University came in at #21 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,250. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $42,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Queens University Of Charlotte landed the #22 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,846. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $42,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
High Point University earned the #23 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,312. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $113,352. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Elon University earned the #24 position for value in communication & journalism this year. 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 $34,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,887 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
