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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Texas

35 Colleges in the United States
$20,727 Avg Student Debt
$53,804 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Badge [Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 96 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & journalism students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Texas

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 Austin Community College District, our #1 best value for communication & journalism in Texas. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,627 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $26,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Alvin Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #3 place for communication & journalism. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $22,430. Set against $17,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #4 place for communication & journalism. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.

5
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.

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6
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,720. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #7 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,956. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $26,748. That is a strong return on a $11,956 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

8

El Paso Community College came in at #8 for value in communication & journalism this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $17,558 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #9 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

10

Houston Community College landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

University Of Houston Victoria came in at #11 for value in communication & journalism this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,625. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

12

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #12 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $22,852 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $46,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.

13
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #14 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $19,829 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $28,566. That is a strong return on a $19,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

15

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,923. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $37,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

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16

Tyler Junior College landed the #16 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $14,869. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.

17

The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #17 for value in communication & journalism this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $21,982 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $31,959 early in their careers. Set against $21,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Houston earned the #18 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $23,265. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $40,721. Set against $23,265 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

19
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,669. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,556. That is a strong return on a $25,669 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.

20
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University placed #20 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $25,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

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21

University Of North Texas placed #21 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,616. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

22

Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $31,953. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

23
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,369. Communication & Journalism graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $30,914 early in their careers. Set against $21,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

24

The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #24 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,021. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $27,586. Set against $15,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

25

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #25 for value in communication & journalism this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,267. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $34,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & journalism:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX
34
35
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX
36
37
38
39
40
St Marys University crest
St Marys University
San Antonio, TX
41
Austin College crest
Austin College
Sherman, TX
42
43
Trinity University crest
Trinity University
San Antonio, TX
44
45
46
Southwestern University crest
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX
47
48
49
50

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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 · 96 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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