2026 Best Value General Journalism Schools

1

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons earned the #1 spot for value among general journalism schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.

2

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #3 place for general journalism. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $13,717 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $22,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,717 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $17,054. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $38,164. That is a strong return on a $17,054 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

5

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #5 place for general journalism. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $10,290. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $40,843. That is a strong return on a $10,290 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

6

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College placed #6 among the best values for general journalism. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $8,978. General Journalism graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

7

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College placed #7 among the best values for general journalism. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District earned the #8 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $8,007 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College placed #9 among the best values for general journalism. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.

10

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #10 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

11

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.

12

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College earned the #12 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno landed the #13 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $15,598. General Journalism graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

14

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge landed the #14 spot for general journalism value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,480 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $30,564. That is a strong return on a $15,480 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

15

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College came in at #15 for value in general journalism this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #16 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $15,000. General Journalism graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $28,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

17

El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA

El Camino Community College District came in at #17 for value in general journalism this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.

18

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $40,945. Set against $22,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

19

Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College earned the #19 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City Community College came in at #20 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the general journalism program here. General 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.

21

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $20,000. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $30,644. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

22

Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #22 among the best values for general journalism. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

College Of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV

College Of Southern Nevada ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for general journalism. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $32,825. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

25

Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.