2026 Best Value General Journalism Schools in California
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 85 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general journalism students.
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2026 Best Value General Journalism Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Journalism Schools
Cerritos College tops our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools in California. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #2 place for general journalism. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $9,776. 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.
Fresno City College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #4 place for general journalism. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #5 place for general journalism. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #6 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Riverside City College landed the #7 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Orange Coast College placed #8 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sierra College came in at #9 for value in general journalism this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $12,733. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #10 for value in general journalism this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District landed the #11 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
California State University Fresno ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge placed #13 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,480 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $30,564 early in their careers. Set against $15,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach placed #14 among the best values for general journalism. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $28,844. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Fullerton College landed the #15 spot for general journalism value this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
California State University Sacramento placed #16 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $20,000. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $30,644. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,875 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $31,788. That is a strong return on a $16,875 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine earned the #18 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,900 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
San Jose State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University earned the #20 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $29,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Chico placed #21 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $35,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,333 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $48,637 early in their careers. Set against $19,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
San Diego State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,998 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $30,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of La Verne came in at #24 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,470. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Ashford University landed the #25 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Students borrow a median of $43,250 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $32,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $43,250 median debt.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Journalism Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general journalism this year:
More General Journalism Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
