[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 1687 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication & journalism schools.
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Finding the Best Value Communication & Journalism School for You
The communication & journalism program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Moorpark College tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,358. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,277 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,358 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $15,827 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $42,734. That is a strong return on a $15,827 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #5 place for communication & journalism. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $12,283. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Suffolk County Community College placed #6 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,246. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
California State University Fullerton placed #7 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $14,621 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $38,406 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
College Of San Mateo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Orange Coast College earned the #10 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #11 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Saddleback College placed #12 among the best values for communication & journalism. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #13 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #14 among the best values for communication & journalism. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $11,035 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $24,697. That is a strong return on a $11,035 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno City College placed #15 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida Online earned the #16 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,472 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $41,924. That is a strong return on a $17,472 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Austin Community College District landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $8,627. Communication & Journalism graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $26,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College landed the #18 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #19 for value in communication & journalism this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $13,443. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $38,714. That is a strong return on a $13,443 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $6,999. Communication & Journalism graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #21 position for value in communication & journalism this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $8,098. Communication & Journalism graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $9,875 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $31,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Santa Monica College earned the #24 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & journalism:
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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 · 1687 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 595 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
