2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 87 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
For return on investment in communication & journalism, no school beat Austin Community College District this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,627 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $26,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,627 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes South Texas College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #5 place for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,100 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $22,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #6 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $8,250. Communication & Journalism graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #7 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,956 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $26,748. That is a strong return on a $11,956 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #8 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Amarillo College earned the #9 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #10 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,054. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $41,109. Set against $20,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Tulsa Community College placed #12 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,789. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $17,558. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #14 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $47,345. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #15 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $18,660. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $51,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $18,250. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #17 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $22,923 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $37,858. That is a strong return on a $22,923 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Lamar University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $32,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Blinn College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #20 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,982 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,132. That is a strong return on a $21,982 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Tyler Junior College earned the #21 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,869. Communication & Journalism graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #22 among the best values for communication & journalism. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $28,375. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $34,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
East Central University came in at #23 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,571 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $24,638. Set against $24,571 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $31,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Lone Star College System came in at #25 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & journalism value ranking:
Narrow Communication & Journalism Schools by State
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
View All Communication & Journalism Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 87 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.
