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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region

16 Colleges in the United States
1,071 General Journalism Degrees Awarded
$38,547 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Journalism degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools to find the best for general journalism students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Journalism in the Southwest Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Journalism

1

No school ranked higher than Southern Methodist University this year for general journalism. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Southern Methodist University awarded about 29 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $40,502. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $19,448 in student loans. See the full general journalism program report for Southern Methodist University

2

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 163 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $39,336. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full general journalism program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

3

Texas Christian University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general journalism, ranking #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $60,035 in their early career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for Texas Christian University

4

Students looking for a strong general journalism program will find one at Austin Community College District, which ranked #4. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. There were roughly 22 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Students borrow a median of $8,007 to complete this degree. Get the full general journalism details for Austin Community College District

5

Baylor University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. Baylor University awarded about 63 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $35,675 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,959 to complete this degree. Get the full general journalism details for Baylor University

6

University Of Arizona ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 67 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $36,521. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $20,520 in student loans. More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Arizona

7

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #7 spot for general journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 237 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $36,744 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. See the full general journalism program report for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

8

University Of North Texas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 205 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $38,118 in their early career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $19,877 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for University Of North Texas

9

Northern Arizona University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 general journalism degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $33,710 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,062 to complete this degree. Get the full general journalism details for Northern Arizona University

10

Texas Tech University earned the #10 position for general journalism this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 26 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Texas Tech University earn around $29,622 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full general journalism details for Texas Tech University

11

University Of Houston ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 53 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $36,226 early in their careers. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for University Of Houston

12

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #12 for general journalism this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $33,255 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,847. Get the full general journalism details for Texas State University San Marcos

13

University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 33 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $32,423. Students borrow a median of $13,606 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of New Mexico Main Campus

14

Abilene Christian University landed the #14 spot for general journalism this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Abilene. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 12 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $56,463 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree. See the full general journalism program report for Abilene Christian University

15

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates 55% of students within six years. New Mexico State University Main Campus awarded about 35 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $32,825 in their early career. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for New Mexico State University Main Campus

16

Oklahoma City Community College placed #16 among the best general journalism schools. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. There were roughly 12 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma City Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $39,848 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the general journalism program at Oklahoma City Community College

17

Northeastern State University earned the #17 position for general journalism this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. There were roughly 14 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. Northeastern State University graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for Northeastern State University

18

Texas Southern University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. There were roughly 25 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Texas Southern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $18,301. Students borrow a median of $34,750 to complete this degree. See the full general journalism program report for Texas Southern University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 48 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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