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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Alabama

9 Colleges in the United States
$26,481 Avg Student Debt
$48,264 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Badge [Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication & journalism schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Alabama

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

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of North Alabama, our #1 best value for communication & journalism in Alabama. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $30,182 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of West Alabama earned it the #2 place for communication & journalism. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, while out-of-state students pay about $20,090. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $31,894. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $53,270. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

3

Troy University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. Students from in state pay about $10,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,240. Communication & Journalism graduates of Troy University earn a median of $38,119 early in their careers. Set against $24,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

4
Miles College crest
Miles College
Fairfield, AL

Miles College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Miles College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. In-state tuition and fees average $13,314. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $35,881. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,627. That is a strong return on a $35,881 median debt.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alabama A And M University earned it the #5 place for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Students borrow a median of $31,896 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $45,909 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

Alabama State University landed the #6 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,248, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $32,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Alabama State University generally make around $21,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

7

Auburn University At Montgomery came in at #7 for value in communication & journalism this year. Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,700, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $31,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University At Montgomery admits about 92% of applicants.

8

Jacksonville State University landed the #8 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,750. Communication & Journalism graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $35,147 early in their careers. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of South Alabama ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $30,153 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.

10

University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $39,139 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

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11

University Of Montevallo earned the #11 position for value in communication & journalism this year. University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Montevallo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,948, with out-of-state students paying around $26,968. Students borrow a median of $25,096 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Montevallo earn a median of $36,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.

12

Spring Hill College placed #12 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,500 ten years after entry. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned the #13 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,132 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,797 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $41,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,797 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

14

The University Of Alabama came in at #14 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,992. Communication & Journalism graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $42,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

15
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #15 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,304 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $40,442 early in their careers. Set against $22,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

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16
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,150. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $18,120 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $31,800. Set against $18,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Samford University admits about 82% of applicants.

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Notes and References

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 · 22 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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