2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Texas
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 96 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & journalism students.
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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Leading the list is Austin Community College District, our #1 best value for communication & journalism in Texas. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,627 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $26,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Alvin Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #3 place for communication & journalism. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $22,430. Set against $17,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #4 place for communication & journalism. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Del Mar College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Amarillo College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,720. 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.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #7 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,956. 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.
El Paso Community College came in at #8 for value in communication & journalism this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $17,558 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #9 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Community College landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #11 for value in communication & journalism this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,625. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #12 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $22,852 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $46,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Lone Star College System ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #14 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $19,829 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $28,566. That is a strong return on a $19,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,923. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $37,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Tyler Junior College landed the #16 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,869. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #17 for value in communication & journalism this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $21,982 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $31,959 early in their careers. Set against $21,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #18 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $23,265. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $40,721. Set against $23,265 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,669. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,556. That is a strong return on a $25,669 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Midwestern State University placed #20 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $25,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #21 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,616. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #22 on our 2026 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $31,953. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,369. Communication & Journalism graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $30,914 early in their careers. Set against $21,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #24 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,021. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $27,586. Set against $15,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #25 for value in communication & journalism this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,267. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $34,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & journalism:
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
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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 · 96 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
