2026 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among general journalism schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $13,717. General Journalism graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $22,839 early in their careers. Set against $13,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,290 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $40,843. Set against $10,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,250. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $46,893. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

4

Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $7,858. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $35,562. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.

5

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montclair State University earned it the #5 place for general journalism. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $25,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.

6

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College placed #6 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $12,573. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $24,535. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.

7

Suny College At Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, NY

Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #7 for value in general journalism this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $32,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.

8

Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University came in at #8 for value in general journalism this year. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $57,142 early in their careers. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University earned the #9 position for value in general journalism this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.

10

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #10 position for value in general journalism this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $29,628 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.

11

Canisius College
Buffalo, NY

Canisius College placed #11 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $34,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

12

Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University placed #12 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $30,896. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $28,088. Set against $30,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

13

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

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #13 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $54,170. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

14

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany came in at #14 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $28,553. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.

15

Suny At Purchase College
Purchase, NY

Suny At Purchase College came in at #15 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,947. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $22,011. That is a strong return on a $23,947 median debt. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.

16

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $26,000. General Journalism graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $32,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

17

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University placed #17 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,238 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $34,038. Set against $24,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.

18

The College Of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ

The College Of New Jersey landed the #18 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,429 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $42,217 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,429 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

19

St Johns University New York
Queens, NY

St Johns University New York came in at #19 for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,529 in tuition and fees. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $36,020 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

20

Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University earned the #20 position for value in general journalism this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,422 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $63,871. That is a strong return on a $23,422 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

21

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $30,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

22

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.

23

Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College landed the #23 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,616. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $34,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

24

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University placed #24 among the best values for general journalism. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $45,256. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.