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2026 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Journalism Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among journalism schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,054 in student loans. 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.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $22,644 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $40,945. Set against $22,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,122 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $29,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $21,829. 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. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Itawamba Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $10,942. Journalism graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of Georgia ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,120 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $41,352. Set against $21,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #7 among the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $20,500. Early-career journalism graduates make about $30,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in journalism this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. 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. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $35,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University came in at #9 for value in journalism this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Journalism graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $34,075 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Marshall University came in at #10 for value in journalism this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $26,662. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $23,169. That is a strong return on a $26,662 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University placed #11 among the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $25,500. Journalism graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,050 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #12 for value in journalism this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $23,250. Early-career journalism graduates make about $32,183. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Kentucky State University landed the #13 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,387, with out-of-state students paying around $13,578. Students borrow a median of $29,774 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Kentucky State University generally make around $28,497. That is a strong return on a $29,774 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $21,087. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
Savannah State University placed #15 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,750, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Students borrow a median of $33,000 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $24,310. Set against $33,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas landed the #21 spot for journalism value this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $38,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Georgia State University earned the #22 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $27,000. Early-career journalism graduates make about $28,416. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #23 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $22,849. Journalism graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $32,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia landed the #24 spot for journalism value this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $27,000. Early-career journalism graduates make about $27,268. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #25 among the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $27,393. Journalism graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $36,356 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,393 median debt. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s journalism value ranking:
Narrow Journalism Schools by State
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
