2026 Best Value Journalism Schools

1

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons tops our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools in the United States. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Journalism graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $11,306. Journalism graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $17,054. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $38,164. Set against $17,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

4

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $13,717 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $22,839. Set against $13,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.

5

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $10,290. Journalism graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $23,120 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,290 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

6

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College earned the #6 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

7

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District placed #7 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,007 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $8,007 median debt.

8

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College landed the #8 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College earned the #9 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #10 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

11

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College landed the #11 spot for journalism value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.

12

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College landed the #12 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $8,767. Journalism graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

14

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #14 among the best values for journalism. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,480 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $30,564. That is a strong return on a $15,480 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

15

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College came in at #15 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the journalism program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

16

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $28,844. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

17

El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA

El Camino Community College District landed the #17 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.

18

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #18 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,644 in student loans. Journalism graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $40,945 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

19

Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College came in at #19 for value in journalism this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.

20

Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City Community College landed the #20 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #21 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $30,644. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

22

Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $7,858. Early-career journalism graduates make about $35,562. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

College Of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV

College Of Southern Nevada came in at #23 for value in journalism this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $9,980. Journalism graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.

24

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $18,250. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $32,825. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

25

Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.