2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,621 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,945. Set against $14,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,068. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $22,133. Set against $15,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

3

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for communication & journalism. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,358 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,604 early in their careers. Set against $17,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,827 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $42,734. That is a strong return on a $15,827 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

5

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

A rank of #5 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,101. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $29,421. Set against $15,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

6

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $32,408. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

7

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University landed the #7 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,607 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $37,395. That is a strong return on a $12,607 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

8

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University earned the #8 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $19,137. Communication & Journalism graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $34,702 early in their careers. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #9 spot for communication & journalism value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $18,769. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $31,633. Set against $18,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

10

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,956 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,956 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

11

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #11 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

12

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida came in at #12 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $52,014. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

13

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,566 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $67,928 early in their careers. Set against $16,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #14 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $14,171 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $50,780. That is a strong return on a $14,171 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

15

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $37,840. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

16

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #16 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $37,166. Set against $20,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

17

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $32,825. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

18

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay earned the #18 position for value in communication & journalism this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $35,722. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #19 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,338. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $48,632. Set against $14,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

20

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $20,054 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $48,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,054 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

21

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #21 for value in communication & journalism this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $56,634 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

22

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #22 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,532. Set against $17,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

23

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $13,900 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $47,538. That is a strong return on a $13,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

24

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #24 among the best values for communication & journalism. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,624. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $32,365. That is a strong return on a $20,624 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

25

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #25 spot for communication & journalism value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.