2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Texas
[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Austin Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among communication & journalism schools in Texas. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,627 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $26,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #2 place for communication & journalism. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,956 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,748. That is a strong return on a $11,956 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #5. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Amarillo College came in at #7 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #8 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #9 among the best values for communication & journalism. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $8,542. Communication & Journalism graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $17,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Lamar University placed #11 among the best values for communication & journalism. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,669. Communication & Journalism graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $32,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,669 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,923 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $37,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Tyler Junior College landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blinn College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $16,465. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #15 position 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $28,375 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $34,123 early in their careers. Set against $28,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio placed #17 among the best values for communication & journalism. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $31,953. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Lone Star College System landed the #18 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, 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. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #19 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,852 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $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.
Midwestern State University came in at #20 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $25,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Texarkana came in at #21 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,349, while out-of-state students pay about $24,680. Students borrow a median of $25,270 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Texas A And M University Texarkana generally make around $44,862. Set against $25,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #22 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $22,267 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,331. Set against $22,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,021 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $27,586. Set against $15,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Houston placed #24 among the best values for communication & journalism. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,265 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $40,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #25 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $45,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & journalism value ranking:
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
View All Communication & Journalism Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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.
