2026 Best Value Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for journalism in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,054 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $38,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

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 #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #3 place for journalism. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $10,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

4

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. 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%.

5

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $15,598. Early-career journalism graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

6

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge earned the #6 position for value in journalism this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,480 in student loans. Journalism graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $30,564 early in their careers. Set against $15,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #7 spot for journalism value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $28,844. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #8 position for value in journalism this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $22,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

9

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #9 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. 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.

10

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $32,825 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

11

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #11 for value in journalism 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,122 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $29,647. Set against $26,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

12

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University landed the #12 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,875 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,788 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

13

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #13 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $13,654 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $33,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,654 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

14

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College earned the #14 position for value in journalism this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $24,535 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

15

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,937 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $42,605 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,937 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

16

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia earned the #16 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $21,120. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $36,636. Set against $21,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

17

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #17 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

18

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #18 position for value in journalism this year. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $5,673. Journalism graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. Set against $5,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

19

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #19 spot for journalism value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,837 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $38,540. That is a strong return on a $22,837 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

20

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #20 for value in journalism this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $35,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,225 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #21 for value in journalism this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,900 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $31,102. Set against $16,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

22

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University landed the #22 spot for journalism value this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,710 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $41,431. Set against $16,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

23

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #23 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $30,659. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.

24

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University came in at #24 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $34,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

25

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University came in at #25 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $26,662 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $23,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.