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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region

41 Colleges in the United States
2,236 Journalism Degrees Awarded
$37,266 Avg Early-Career Salary

Journalism programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 94 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best journalism schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Journalism in the Southeast Region

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

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

No school ranked higher than University Of Florida this year for journalism. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 135 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $38,164 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,054 to complete this degree. Get the full journalism details for University Of Florida

2

Washington And Lee University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Washington And Lee University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 13 journalism degrees were awarded at Washington And Lee University in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete this degree. Get the full journalism details for Washington And Lee University

3

Students looking for a strong journalism program will find one at University Of Georgia, which ranked #3. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 239 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $41,352 in their early career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,120 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Georgia

4

University Of Central Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 55 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $40,945. Students borrow a median of $22,644 to complete this degree. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Central Florida

5
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in journalism, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 22 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $41,378 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Miami

6

Elon University earned the #6 position for journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 42 journalism degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Elon University earn around $34,105 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete this degree. Read more about the journalism program at Elon University

7
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas came in at #7 for journalism this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Arkansas earn around $38,354 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Arkansas

8
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University landed the #8 spot for journalism this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 15 journalism students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree. Get the full journalism details for High Point University

9

The University Of Tennessee landed the #9 spot for journalism this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 125 journalism students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $32,082 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,849. See the full journalism program report for The University Of Tennessee

10

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the town of University. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn around $35,389 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Mississippi Main Campus

11
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #11 among the best journalism schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 44 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $38,357 early in their careers. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for Auburn University

12

The University Of Alabama landed the #12 spot for journalism this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Alabama awarded about 121 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $35,509 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full journalism details for The University Of Alabama

13

West Virginia University placed #13 among the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. West Virginia University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 156 journalism students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $34,075. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. See the full journalism program report for West Virginia University

14
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 45 journalism degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Samford University earn around $30,311 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,120. More information about a degree in journalism from Samford University

15

University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. About 91 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $38,762. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the journalism program at University Of South Carolina Columbia

16
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Belmont University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $49,699 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from Belmont University

17

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #17 for journalism this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 98 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $30,659 in their early career. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at Middle Tennessee State University

18

Georgia College And State University landed the #18 spot for journalism this year. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 65 journalism degrees were awarded at Georgia College And State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $38,603 in their early career. Georgia College And State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in journalism from Georgia College And State University

19

University Of Kentucky placed #19 among the best journalism schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. About 71% of students finish within six years. University Of Kentucky awarded about 36 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Kentucky earn around $36,926 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Kentucky

20

The University Of Tampa earned the #20 position for journalism this year. Set in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 journalism students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tampa in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of $45,401 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,191 to complete this degree. Read more about the journalism program at The University Of Tampa

21

Loyola University New Orleans earned the #21 position for journalism this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University New Orleans in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Loyola University New Orleans generally make around $37,206. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full journalism details for Loyola University New Orleans

22

Appalachian State University earned the #22 position for journalism this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 28 journalism degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Appalachian State University earn around $27,116 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. Get the full journalism details for Appalachian State University

23

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #23 spot for journalism this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $51,410. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete this degree. See the full journalism program report for University Of South Florida Main Campus

24

Kennesaw State University landed the #24 spot for journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Kennesaw State University graduates 52% of students within six years. Kennesaw State University awarded about 47 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $30,792 in their early career. Kennesaw State University graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. More information about a degree in journalism from Kennesaw State University

25
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Western Kentucky University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Western Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Western Kentucky University earn around $35,050 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from Western Kentucky University

Rest of the Top 46 Journalism Schools

These schools also placed among the best for journalism this year:

26
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
27
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
28
29
30
31
32
33
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
34
35
36
37
38
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
39
40
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA
41
Flagler College St Augustine crest
Flagler College St Augustine
Saint Augustine, FL
42
43
44
45
46
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 94 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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