2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Tennessee
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Tennessee
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
For return on investment in communication & journalism, no school beat Middle Tennessee State University this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,443 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $30,442. That is a strong return on a $21,443 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at The University Of Tennessee Martin, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,481. Communication & Journalism graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $26,803 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,831 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $33,082. That is a strong return on a $21,831 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $19,362. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $28,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Tennessee State University one of the best values for communication & journalism. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $30,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $25,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Memphis came in at #6 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,355. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $36,135 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Austin Peay State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $34,582 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #8 spot for communication & journalism value this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,716. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $39,920. Set against $21,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Bryan College Dayton landed the #9 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $19,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,652. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $44,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Tennessee State University came in at #10 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $23,250. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $33,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University came in at #11 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Carson Newman College landed the #12 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,235 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $28,221 early in their careers. Set against $20,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carson Newman College admits about 90% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University placed #13 among the best values for communication & journalism. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,620. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $54,530. Set against $24,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Lee University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $32,287. Set against $26,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University earned the #15 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,253 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $48,949. That is a strong return on a $21,253 median debt. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Union University came in at #16 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,398. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $28,605. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $68,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Belmont University landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $41,889. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
