by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value journalism schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Itawamba Community College, our #1 best value for journalism in Mississippi. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $10,942. Early-career journalism graduates make about $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $35,389. Set against $24,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Mississippi earned it the #3 place for journalism. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $29,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.