2026 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for journalism in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,717 in student loans. 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.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for journalism. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $10,290. Early-career journalism graduates make about $23,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $7,858. Early-career journalism graduates make about $35,562. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

Ocean County College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $13,792. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $41,306. Set against $13,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $46,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

6

Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, NY

Onondaga Community College ranked #6 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Students borrow a median of $10,125 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $35,781. That is a strong return on a $10,125 median debt.

7

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College placed #7 among the best values for journalism. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. 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. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.

8

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University came in at #8 for value in journalism this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $25,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

9

Suny College At Brockport
Brockport, NY

Suny College At Brockport came in at #9 for value in journalism this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Students borrow a median of $24,627 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $33,085. That is a strong return on a $24,627 median debt. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.

10

Suny College At Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, NY

Suny College At Plattsburgh placed #10 among the best values for journalism. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,035, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $32,456 early in their careers. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.

11

Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University placed #11 among the best values for journalism. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $26,054. Early-career journalism graduates make about $57,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University landed the #12 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

13

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $29,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

14

Canisius College
Buffalo, NY

Canisius College came in at #14 for value in journalism this year. Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $34,200. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $25,000. Early-career journalism graduates make about $34,766. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Canisius College admits about 72% of applicants.

15

Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University placed #15 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Journalism graduates carry a median of $30,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $28,088. That is a strong return on a $30,896 median debt. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.

16

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

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #16 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $54,170 early in their careers. 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.

17

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany placed #17 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $28,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

18

Suny At Purchase College
Purchase, NY

Suny At Purchase College earned the #18 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $23,947. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $22,011. That is a strong return on a $23,947 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

19

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #19 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $32,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.

20

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University landed the #20 spot for journalism value this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,238 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $34,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

21

The College Of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ

The College Of New Jersey placed #21 among the best values for journalism. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $24,429. Early-career journalism graduates make about $42,217. That is a strong return on a $24,429 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.

22

St Johns University New York
Queens, NY

St Johns University New York earned the #22 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $36,020. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.

23

Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University came in at #23 for value in journalism this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,422 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $63,871. Set against $23,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.

24

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #24 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $30,959. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

25

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.