College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Journalism Schools in Florida

7 Colleges in the United States
$23,233 Avg Student Debt
$56,807 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Journalism Badge [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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for journalism students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Journalism Schools in Florida

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Journalism Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among journalism schools in Florida. 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. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $17,054. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $38,164. Set against $17,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $51,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

3

Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #3. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $22,644. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $40,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earned it the #4 place for journalism. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.

5
Flagler College St Augustine crest
Flagler College St Augustine
Saint Augustine, FL

Flagler College St Augustine came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Augustine, Flagler College St Augustine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,900. Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Flagler College St Augustine earn a median of $27,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

6
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL

Full Sail University landed the #6 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,906. Journalism graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Full Sail University earn a median of $41,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt.

7

The University Of Tampa earned the #7 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,408. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $25,191. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from The University Of Tampa generally make around $45,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

8
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami landed the #8 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $41,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.

View All Journalism Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options