2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Arizona
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & journalism education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & journalism students.
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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Arizona
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Glendale Community College Glendale Az tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools in Arizona. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Chandler Gilbert Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $10,447. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
Estrella Mountain Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,752. Communication & Journalism graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $13,750. Communication & Journalism graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,038. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $45,849. That is a strong return on a $21,038 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #6 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $45,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $47,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College earned the #7 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University landed the #8 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,744. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $36,771. That is a strong return on a $20,744 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #9 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,330 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $39,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Grand Canyon University came in at #10 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Students borrow a median of $25,322 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $42,390. That is a strong return on a $25,322 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Ottawa University Surprise came in at #11 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Surprise, Ottawa University Surprise is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,880 in tuition and fees. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Ottawa University Surprise generally make around $33,465. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
