2026 Best Value Journalism Associate’s Degree 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. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the journalism program here. 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. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.

3

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,007 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $8,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

A rank of #5 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $7,234. Journalism graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College came in at #6 for value in journalism this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College placed #7 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.

8

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College came in at #8 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College landed the #9 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Journalism graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA

El Camino Community College District landed the #10 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.

11

Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College earned the #11 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. 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.

12

Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City Community College earned the #12 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.

13

Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #13 spot for journalism value this year. 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. Journalism graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.

14

College Of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV

College Of Southern Nevada placed #14 among the best values for journalism. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.

15

Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College placed #15 among the best values for journalism. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the journalism program here. 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.

16

Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College landed the #16 spot for journalism value this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.

17

Itawamba Community College
Fulton, MS

Itawamba Community College earned the #17 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

Ocean County College placed #18 among the best values for journalism. Ocean County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $13,792. Journalism graduates of Ocean County College earn a median of $41,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, NY

Onondaga Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $10,125. Early-career journalism graduates make about $35,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.