2026 Best Value General Journalism Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among general journalism schools in the United States. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $21,829. General Journalism graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,120 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $46,067 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

3

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR

A rank of #3 makes University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras one of the best values for general journalism. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,673 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

4

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at University Of North Texas, which ranked #4. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $19,877. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $38,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for general journalism. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $40,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

6

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University placed #6 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

7

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #7 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $46,893 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

8

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis came in at #8 for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $26,875. General Journalism graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $32,820 early in their careers. Set against $26,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $22,811 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $66,011. Set against $22,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

10

University Of Sacred Heart
Santurce, PR

University Of Sacred Heart ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of Santurce, University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of University Of Sacred Heart earn a median of $24,742 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

11

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $61,760. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

12

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #12 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $36,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

13

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $21,500. General Journalism graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $37,484 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

14

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

15

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $21,500. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $39,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #16 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $21,400. General Journalism graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $55,800 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

17

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent landed the #17 spot for general journalism value this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $25,000. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $56,011. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

18

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #18 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,985. General Journalism graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $36,912 early in their careers. Set against $24,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

19

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #19 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $36,352. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

20

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #20 among the best values for general journalism. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,907 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $75,030. That is a strong return on a $25,907 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

21

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $25,000. General Journalism graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #22 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $38,762. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

23

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #23 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,813. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $59,418. That is a strong return on a $24,813 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #24 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $49,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.

25

New York University
New York, NY

New York University placed #25 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $21,897. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $64,516. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.