2026 Best Value Journalism Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among journalism schools in the United States. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $51,410. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #2 place for journalism. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,120 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $46,067. Set against $21,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

3

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $19,937. Early-career journalism graduates make about $43,647. That is a strong return on a $19,937 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR

A rank of #4 makes University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras one of the best values for journalism. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,673 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.

5

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $19,877 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $38,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #6 among the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $40,942 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

7

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

8

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #8 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $46,893. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis landed the #9 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $32,820. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

10

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #10 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $22,811. Early-career journalism graduates make about $66,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

11

University Of Sacred Heart
Santurce, PR

University Of Sacred Heart placed #11 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Santurce, University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $24,742. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #12 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $61,760. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

13

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #13 spot for journalism value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $36,744. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.

14

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University placed #14 among the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $37,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

15

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $54,170. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

16

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #16 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $39,336. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

17

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #17 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,400 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $55,800. That is a strong return on a $21,400 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.

18

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent came in at #18 for value in journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $56,011. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

19

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $24,985. Early-career journalism graduates make about $36,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

20

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #20 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $36,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa earned the #21 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,907 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $75,030. That is a strong return on a $25,907 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

22

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama came in at #22 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $25,000. Journalism graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $35,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.

23

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #23 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Journalism graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $38,762 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.

24

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #24 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,813 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $59,418. That is a strong return on a $24,813 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.

25

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #25 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $16,250. Journalism graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $49,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.