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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

116 Colleges in the United States
$22,029 Avg Student Debt
$61,437 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Badge [Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 293 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools

1

For return on investment in communication & journalism, no school beat Suffolk County Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $15,827 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $42,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $12,283 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $29,023 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.

4
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $11,035 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $24,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

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6

Cuny Queens College came in at #6 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $9,875. 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%.

7

Cuny Lehman College came in at #7 for value in communication & journalism this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,928 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $30,732. That is a strong return on a $12,928 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

8
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College earned the #8 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $29,016 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $8,643. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $26,437. That is a strong return on a $8,643 median debt.

10

Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #10 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $29,702. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

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Monroe Community College landed the #11 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $27,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #12 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $8,511. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $23,307 early in their careers. Set against $8,511 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Farmingdale State College earned the #13 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,870 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $50,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

14

Raritan Valley Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #15 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,230. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Orange County Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Students borrow a median of $14,152 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $43,442. That is a strong return on a $14,152 median debt.

18

County College Of Morris placed #18 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $15,905. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.

19

Erie Community College landed the #19 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Delaware County Community College placed #20 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,125 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $40,102. That is a strong return on a $7,125 median debt.

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Union County College crest
Union County College
Cranford, NJ

Union County College earned the #21 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $7,350 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Union County College earn a median of $21,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Students borrow a median of $11,154 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $43,322. That is a strong return on a $11,154 median debt.

23

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #23 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $22,450 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $45,633. That is a strong return on a $22,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

24

Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome placed #24 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,625 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,215 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,689 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $56,541 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,689 median debt. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.

25
Ocean County College crest
Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

Ocean County College earned the #25 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Ocean County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, with out-of-state students paying around $6,970. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,792 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $41,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for communication & journalism this year:

26
27
28
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY
29
Cuny York College crest
Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ
37
38
39
40
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
49
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY
50
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania crest
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania
Lincoln University, PA

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 293 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 116 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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