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Best Schools for Journalism in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Journalism
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in journalism. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 137 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $47,138 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Southern California
Students looking for a strong journalism program will find one at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #2. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 85 journalism students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $48,637 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,333.
Read more about the journalism program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Loyola Marymount University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 28 journalism degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248.
Read more about the journalism program at Loyola Marymount University
Chapman University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in journalism, ranking #4. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Chapman University awarded about 30 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Chapman University earn around $41,645 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the journalism program at Chapman University
San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 29 journalism degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full journalism details for San Jose State University
San Francisco State University came in at #6 for journalism this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 journalism students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,788 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,875.
Read more about the journalism program at San Francisco State University
California State University Sacramento landed the #7 spot for journalism this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 journalism students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $30,644 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full journalism details for California State University Sacramento
California State University Long Beach earned the #8 position for journalism this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 73 journalism students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $28,844. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in journalism from California State University Long Beach
Orange Coast College landed the #9 spot for journalism this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 10 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978.
Get the full journalism details for Orange Coast College
California State University Northridge ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 92 journalism students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $30,564 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,480.
Read more about the journalism program at California State University Northridge
California State University Chico came in at #11 for journalism this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 journalism students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $35,668 early in their careers. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
Get the full journalism details for California State University Chico
California State University Fresno landed the #12 spot for journalism this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 79 journalism students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in journalism from California State University Fresno
San Diego State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego State University awarded about 119 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from San Diego State University earn around $30,269 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,998.
Read more about the journalism program at San Diego State University
College Of The Canyons placed #14 among the best journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. College Of The Canyons awarded about 12 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans.
See the full journalism program report for College Of The Canyons
University Of California Irvine placed #15 among the best journalism schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 33 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $31,102 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,900 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in journalism from University Of California Irvine
Cerritos College earned the #16 position for journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. About 12 journalism degrees were awarded at Cerritos College in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $29,495 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree.
Read more about the journalism program at Cerritos College
University Of La Verne came in at #17 for journalism this year. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 11 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of La Verne in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $35,364 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,314.
See the full journalism program report for University Of La Verne
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #18 for journalism this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. There were roughly 23 journalism students who graduated with this degree at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from California State University Dominguez Hills earn around $52,683 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans.
Get the full journalism details for California State University Dominguez Hills
Santa Monica College earned the #19 position for journalism this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Santa Monica College graduates 81% of students within six years. About 21 journalism degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year.
Read more about the journalism program at Santa Monica College
Mt San Antonio College placed #20 among the best journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. About 10 journalism degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree.
Read more about the journalism program at Mt San Antonio College
Riverside City College landed the #21 spot for journalism this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 13 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Riverside City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $37,102 in their early career. Riverside City College graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans.
Read more about the journalism program at Riverside City College
Fresno City College placed #22 among the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. About 10 journalism degrees were awarded at Fresno City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $37,470 in their early career. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans.
See the full journalism program report for Fresno City College
Long Beach City College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 16 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Long Beach City College in the most recent data year. Long Beach City College graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans.
Get the full journalism details for Long Beach City College
Fullerton College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 14 journalism degrees were awarded at Fullerton College in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in journalism from Fullerton College
El Camino Community College District ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. El Camino Community College District awarded about 11 journalism degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full journalism details for El Camino Community College District
Rest of the Top 30 Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s journalism ranking:
