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2026 Best General Journalism Associate’s Degree Schools

3 Colleges in the United States
193 General Journalism Degrees Awarded
$39,406 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Journalism is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 460 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general journalism schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Journalism in the United States

Below are the best general journalism schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in General Journalism

1

Austin Community College District tops our 2026 ranking of the best general journalism schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Austin Community College District awarded about 22 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,007. Read more about the general journalism program at Austin Community College District

2
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. About 10 general journalism degrees were awarded at Orange Coast College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. See the full general journalism program report for Orange Coast College

3
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general journalism from College Of The Canyons

4
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

A rank of #4 makes Cerritos College one of the top schools for general journalism. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. There were roughly 12 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Cerritos College earn around $29,495 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306. Read more about the general journalism program at Cerritos College

5
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Students looking for a strong general journalism program will find one at Santa Monica College, which ranked #5. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 general journalism degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year. See the full general journalism program report for Santa Monica College

6

Mt San Antonio College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 10 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. See the full general journalism program report for Mt San Antonio College

7

Riverside City College earned the #7 position for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Riverside City College awarded about 13 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $37,102 in their early career. Riverside City College graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. See the full general journalism program report for Riverside City College

8

Fresno City College placed #8 among the best general journalism schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. There were roughly 10 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Fresno City College earn around $37,470 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete this degree. Read more about the general journalism program at Fresno City College

9
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College came in at #9 for general journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Fullerton College awarded about 14 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the general journalism program at Fullerton College

10

El Camino Community College District ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. About 11 general journalism degrees were awarded at El Camino Community College District in the most recent year. Read more about the general journalism program at El Camino Community College District

11

Oklahoma City Community College landed the #11 spot for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. About 12 general journalism degrees were awarded at Oklahoma City Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree. Get the full general journalism details for Oklahoma City Community College

12

College Of Southern Nevada ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. About 13 general journalism degrees were awarded at College Of Southern Nevada in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $35,850 in their early career. College Of Southern Nevada graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for College Of Southern Nevada

13

Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #13 spot for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. About 11 general journalism degrees were awarded at Cuny Kingsborough Community College in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. Cuny Kingsborough Community College graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for Cuny Kingsborough Community College

14
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College placed #14 among the best general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Sierra College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Sierra College earn around $29,214 in the first couple years of their career. Sierra College graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Read more about the general journalism program at Sierra College

15

Itawamba Community College came in at #15 for general journalism this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 10 general journalism degrees were awarded at Itawamba Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $40,832 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,942. Read more about the general journalism program at Itawamba Community College

Other General Journalism Degree Levels

Explore the best general journalism schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Journalism
Bachelor's Degrees in General Journalism
Master's Degrees in General Journalism
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View All General Journalism Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 460 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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