2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for communication & journalism in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,358. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $43,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,472 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $41,924 early in their careers. Set against $17,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

3

Seminole State College Of Florida
Sanford, FL

Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Seminole State College Of Florida, which ranked #3. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #4 place for communication & journalism. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $32,771. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

5

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #5 place for communication & journalism. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,171. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $44,966. That is a strong return on a $14,171 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

6

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University placed #6 among the best values for communication & journalism. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $12,607. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,136. That is a strong return on a $12,607 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

7

Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, FL

Hillsborough Community College landed the #7 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $44,101. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,481 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $34,532. That is a strong return on a $17,481 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

9

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #9 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $19,139. Communication & Journalism graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $43,508 early in their careers. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #10 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,500. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $49,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

11

Dalton State College
Dalton, GA

Dalton State College placed #11 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Students borrow a median of $14,955 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $29,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida came in at #12 for value in communication & journalism this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $43,704. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

13

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University placed #13 among the best values for communication & journalism. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,226 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $38,815 early in their careers. Set against $20,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.

14

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University earned the #14 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,791. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $36,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

15

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #15 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,096. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $37,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

16

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida earned the #16 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,345 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $40,990 early in their careers. Set against $17,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

17

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University ranked #17 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,250. Communication & Journalism graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $37,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

18

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #18 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,805 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $40,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,805 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

19

Itawamba Community College
Fulton, MS

Itawamba Community College earned the #19 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $10,942. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.

20

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

John Tyler Community College earned the #20 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Holmes Community College
Goodman, MS

Holmes Community College earned the #21 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Louisiana State University Alexandria
Alexandria, LA

Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $47,702. That is a strong return on a $24,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

23

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #23 among the best values for communication & journalism. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $30,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

24

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System came in at #24 for value in communication & journalism this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,555. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Valencia College came in at #25 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,413. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $42,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.