2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Kansas
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & journalism education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication & journalism schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Leading the list is Washburn University, our #1 best value for communication & journalism in Kansas. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $39,932. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt.
Fort Hays State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,967. Communication & Journalism graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #3 place for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,159 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $35,035. Set against $25,159 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,673 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $52,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Emporia State University one of the best values for communication & journalism. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $37,095 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #6 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,348. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $36,653. Set against $22,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University placed #7 among the best values for communication & journalism. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $23,250. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $28,106. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Benedictine College landed the #8 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,350. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $30,238. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Benedictine College admits about 98% of applicants.
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
View All Communication & Journalism Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
