by our College Data Analytics TeamJournalism degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 525 schools to find the best for journalism students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the best journalism schools at the bachelor’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Our analysis ranked Pennsylvania State University Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in journalism. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 251 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Get the full journalism details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 85 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $44,651 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,250. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Southern California
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,450 early in their careers. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Indiana University Bloomington is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 105 journalism degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $39,992 in their early career. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 154 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $40,942 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #6 spot for journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. About 108 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $46,893 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Maryland College Park
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $48,637. Typical student debt for the program is $19,333. Get the full journalism details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot for journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 33 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $33,250 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,654. Get the full journalism details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 135 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $38,164 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,054. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Florida
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #10 among the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 438 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $43,958 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,400 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Missouri Columbia
Boston University earned the #11 position for journalism this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 89 journalism degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Boston University earn around $42,857 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,813. More information about a degree in journalism from Boston University
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #12 for journalism this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 87 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $34,022 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750. More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Colorado Boulder
Southern Methodist University came in at #13 for journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 29 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $40,502 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,448 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from Southern Methodist University
University Of Georgia earned the #14 position for journalism this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 239 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $36,636. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,120 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Georgia
Washington And Lee University earned the #15 position for journalism this year. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington And Lee University awarded about 13 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. Washington And Lee University graduates carry a median of $20,074 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for Washington And Lee University
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #16 position for journalism this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 146 journalism students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $39,336. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in journalism from The University Of Texas At Austin
Arizona State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 156 journalism degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $42,605. Typical student debt for the program is $19,937. More information about a degree in journalism from Arizona State University
Loyola Marymount University earned the #18 position for journalism this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 28 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for Loyola Marymount University
George Washington University placed #19 among the best journalism schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 journalism students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from George Washington University earn around $52,015 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from George Washington University
Chapman University earned the #20 position for journalism this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 journalism degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Chapman University earn around $41,645 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Read more about the journalism program at Chapman University
University Of Kansas ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 170 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Kansas earn around $43,191 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,811. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Kansas
San Jose State University placed #22 among the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 journalism students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in journalism from San Jose State University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #23 position for journalism this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $36,303 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,300. See the full journalism program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 52 journalism degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,955 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,346 to complete this degree. See the full journalism program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Central Florida landed the #25 spot for journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $40,945 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,644 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Central Florida
These schools also placed among the best for journalism this year:
The following schools placed in the top tier for journalism:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #52 | University Of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, MA |
| #53 | Ohio University Main Campus | Athens, OH |
| #55 | University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus | Norman, OK |
| #57 | University Of Nebraska Lincoln | Lincoln, NE |
| #63 | University Of Iowa | Iowa City, IA |
| #68 | Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY |
| #72 | University Of North Texas | Denton, TX |
| #75 | University Of South Carolina Columbia | Columbia, SC |
| #80 | University Of Oregon | Eugene, OR |
| #84 | Colorado State University Fort Collins | Fort Collins, CO |
| #101 | Ball State University | Muncie, IN |
A few more journalism schools worth a look:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Journalism rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 525 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.