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2026 Best Value Journalism Schools in California
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
Cerritos College earned the #1 spot for value among journalism schools in California. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #2. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $9,776. Early-career journalism graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for journalism. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $7,234. Early-career journalism graduates make about $37,470. 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. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at Santa Monica College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
ADBLOCK #101
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #6 for value in journalism this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Journalism graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Riverside City College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Orange Coast College came in at #8 for value in journalism this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sierra College landed the #9 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Journalism graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College placed #10 among the best values for journalism. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the journalism program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District came in at #11 for value in journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
California State University Fresno landed the #12 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. 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. Journalism graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Northridge landed the #13 spot for journalism value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. 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. Early-career journalism graduates make about $30,564. Set against $15,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #14 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $15,000. 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.
Fullerton College placed #15 among the best values for journalism. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
California State University Sacramento earned the #16 position for value in journalism this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $20,000. Journalism graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $30,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
San Francisco State University placed #17 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $16,875 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $31,788. That is a strong return on a $16,875 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine placed #18 among the best values for journalism. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,900 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $31,102. That is a strong return on a $16,900 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
San Jose State University placed #19 among the best values for journalism. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University placed #20 among the best values for journalism. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $29,686. That is a strong return on a $22,300 median debt. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Chico earned the #21 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $35,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #22 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $19,333. Journalism graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $48,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
San Diego State University came in at #23 for value in journalism this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $14,998. Journalism graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $30,269 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,998 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of La Verne ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,470. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $35,364. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of La Verne admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Southern California landed the #25 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $47,138. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Journalism Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in journalism:
[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.
