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2026 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Journalism Schools
Our analysis ranked Cerritos College the best value for a degree in journalism in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $11,306. Journalism graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $9,776. Early-career journalism graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #3 place 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. Journalism graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #4 place for journalism. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at Santa Monica College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
ADBLOCK #101
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #6 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. 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%.
Riverside City College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. 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. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College came in at #8 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Sierra College earned the #9 position 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. Early-career journalism graduates make about $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
Long Beach City College earned the #10 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
El Camino Community College District placed #12 among the best values for journalism. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #13 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, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge earned the #14 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,480 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $30,564. That is a strong return on a $15,480 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach came in at #15 for value in journalism 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, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 46%.
San Jose State University placed #21 among the best values for journalism. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #22 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
Washington State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,506 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $36,273 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,506 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Humboldt State University landed the #24 spot for journalism value this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,300 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $29,686. Set against $22,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico placed #25 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $18,750. Journalism graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $35,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Journalism Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for journalism this year:
Narrow Journalism Schools by State
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
