2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Virginia

1

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

Leading the list is George Mason University, our #1 best value for communication & journalism in Virginia. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

2

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Old Dominion University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

A rank of #3 makes John Tyler Community College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,262. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Norfolk State University earned it the #4 place for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. The acceptance rate is 88%.

5

Radford University
Radford, VA

Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Radford University, which ranked #5. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Students borrow a median of $25,917 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,877. Set against $25,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #6 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $35,808. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

7

Virginia State University
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University placed #7 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,043, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $23,897 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

8

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University placed #8 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $52,175. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.

9

Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,090 in tuition and fees. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $29,477. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

10

University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,825 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $43,243 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,825 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

11

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,502 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $42,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.

12

Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College earned the #12 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,750. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $107,159. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

13

Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University came in at #13 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,740, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $36,062 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

14

Emory And Henry College
Emory, VA

Emory And Henry College earned the #14 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emory. In-state tuition and fees average $39,000. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Emory And Henry College generally make around $47,255. That is a strong return on a $26,938 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

15

Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. Students from in state pay about $16,828 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,953. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Christopher Newport University admits about 86% of applicants.

16

Virginia Union University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Union University earned the #16 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $17,830. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $31,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $18,076. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,230. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $47,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.

18

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #18 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,613. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $44,309. Set against $20,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

19

Washington And Lee University
Lexington, VA

Washington And Lee University landed the #19 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $68,045. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $76,810. Set against $20,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington And Lee University admits about 14% of applicants.

20

Marymount University
Arlington, VA

Marymount University earned the #20 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,120. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,880. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $58,028. Set against $26,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

21

Randolph Macon College
Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College landed the #21 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ashland. Students from in state pay about $49,466 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of Randolph Macon College earn a median of $40,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Randolph Macon College admits about 87% of applicants.

22

Roanoke College
Salem, VA

Roanoke College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,068. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,975. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Roanoke College generally make around $36,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

23

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $39,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

24

Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Hampton University came in at #24 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,592. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,250. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $28,324. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.