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2026 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Journalism Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,054 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $38,164. That is a strong return on a $17,054 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $22,644. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $40,945. Set against $22,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $29,647. That is a strong return on a $26,122 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #4. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Itawamba Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #6 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $20,500. General Journalism graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $30,659 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #7 among the best values for general journalism. 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. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $41,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,250. General Journalism graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $34,075 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $35,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Marshall University placed #10 among the best values for general journalism. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,662 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $23,169. Set against $26,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #11 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $35,050. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University earned the #12 position for value in general journalism this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $32,183 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
Kentucky State University came in at #13 for value in general journalism this year. Set in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,387, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Students borrow a median of $29,774 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Kentucky State University generally make around $28,497. That is a strong return on a $29,774 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #14 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $25,000. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $21,087. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Savannah State University earned the #15 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $33,000 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $24,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Memphis ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $32,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff came in at #17 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,955. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $28,807. General Journalism graduates of University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earn a median of $27,259 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,807 median debt. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff admits about 41% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $29,591. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University earned the #19 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,530. General Journalism graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $44,360 early in their careers. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Appalachian State University placed #20 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $27,116. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Georgia State University landed the #21 spot for general journalism value this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $28,416 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $38,354 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia earned the #23 position for value in general journalism this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $27,000. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $27,268. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,393 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $36,356 early in their careers. Set against $27,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #25 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $22,849. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $32,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value General Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general journalism value ranking:
Narrow General Journalism Schools by State
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
