2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Pennsylvania

1

Delaware County Community College
Media, PA

For return on investment in communication & journalism, no school beat Delaware County Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Communication & Journalism graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Bucks County Community College
Newtown, PA

Bucks County Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.

4

Community College Of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, PA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Allegheny County earned it the #4 place for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, PA

Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Lehigh Carbon Community College, which ranked #5. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #6 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $41,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt.

7

Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell, PA

Montgomery County Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $39,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Northampton County Area Community College
Bethlehem, PA

Northampton County Area Community College placed #8 among the best values for communication & journalism. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,500. Communication & Journalism graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $30,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Pennsylvania Western University
California, PA

Pennsylvania Western University landed the #9 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.

10

Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania
Lincoln University, PA

Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,512 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,384. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $23,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

11

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, PA

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

12

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Indiana, PA

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #12 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,246 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $30,565 early in their careers. Set against $26,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

13

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $35,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

14

Community College Of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA

Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #14 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $24,794. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #15 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

16

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Millersville, PA

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $35,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

17

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.

18

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Kutztown, PA

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #18 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,360 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $31,678. That is a strong return on a $26,360 median debt. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.

19

La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University came in at #19 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,924 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $36,127. That is a strong return on a $26,924 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

20

Albright College
Reading, PA

Albright College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,082. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Albright College generally make around $31,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albright College admits about 76% of applicants.

21

Pennsylvania State University Brandywine
Media, PA

Pennsylvania State University Brandywine ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Pennsylvania State University Brandywine is a small public school located in the suburb of Media. In-state tuition and fees average $15,208, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

22

Allegheny College
Meadville, PA

Allegheny College placed #22 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Allegheny College earn a median of $31,994 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Allegheny College admits about 55% of applicants.

23

Gannon University
Erie, PA

Gannon University earned the #23 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $73,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

24

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College
Erie, PA

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College placed #24 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.

25

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, PA

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #25 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $46,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.