Nearly 1,400 colleges and universities in the United States offer some type of journalism degree. But which school is the best?
Well, it depends on how you define “best.”
Is it the school with the most students in the program? The lowest tuition? The smallest classes?
Maybe you’re looking for a specific type of journalism degree. Or a certain extracurricular opportunity. Perhaps you care about national reputation or prestige.
Each student’s priorities are different. The best journalism school for you may not be the best for someone else.
How do you rank journalism schools?
There are dozens of rankings for top journalism schools available from a range of sources, each with its own ranking methodology.
One tool you can use to help narrow down your search is the list of colleges and universities with journalism majors that are accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). The ACEJMC does not rank programs. Instead, it evaluates journalism programs based on its established educational requirements and standards.
It’s important to note that accreditation by the ACEJMC is voluntary, and not every school chooses to seek it. Some very fine journalism programs are not listed here. So, if a school you’re interested in is not on it, that doesn’t necessarily mean there is something wrong with it.
Still, this list can be a great starting point to help you determine which journalism and mass communication program is best for you. See below to check out the accredited colleges and universities by size of university and program, as well as their tuition and fees.
Colleges and universities that are accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
Journalism programs at ACEJMC-accredited universities (Small, university enrollment under 10,000)
| Institution name | Total university enrollment | Journalism graduates 2021–22 | Tuition and fees 2022–23 (in/out-of-state) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elon University | 7,446 | 308 | $42,241 |
| Drake University | 5,458 | 106 | $47,912 |
| Loyola University New Orleans | 5,128 | 71 | $45,030 |
| Morgan State University | 9,224 | 61 | $8,008/ $18,479 |
| St. Bonaventure University | 2,885 | 58 | $38,770 |
| SUNY Buffalo State University | 8,231 | 48 | $8,486/ $18,396 |
| Winthrop University | 6,071 | 39 | $15,866/ $30,196 |
| Southern University and A&M College | 8,435 | 24 | $9,940/ $17,198 |
| Nicholls State University | 7,043 | 21 | $8,156/ $9,249 |
| Abilene Christian University | 5,760 | 16 | $40,500 |
Journalism programs at ACEJMC-accredited universities (Medium, university enrollment 10,000 – 20,000)
| Institution name | Total university enrollment | Journalism graduates 2021–22 | Tuition and fees 2022–23 (in/out-of-state) |
|---|---|---|---|
| American University | 16,934 | 323 | $53,889 |
| Texas Christian University | 12,513 | 237 | $53,980 |
| Hofstra University | 11,132 | 220 | $53,330 |
| Central Michigan University | 17,917 | 208 | $13,650 |
| California State University–Dominguez Hills | 19,500 | 176 | $7,060/ $18,940 |
| Arkansas State University | 18,402 | 160 | $7,456/ $13,312 |
| Western Kentucky University | 19,768 | 138 | $11,112/ $27,000 |
| North Carolina A&T State University | 14,642 | 119 | $6,733/ $20,243 |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | 17,884 | 84 | $10,382/ $24,110 |
| University of Idaho | 13,007 | 68 | $8,396/ $27,632 |
| Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville | 15,277 | 64 | $12,558 |
| Eastern Illinois University | 10,588 | 63 | $13,101/ $15,528 |
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | 16,301 | 60 | $7,795/ $15,368 |
| California State University–Chico | 17,049 | 59 | $7,972/ $19,852 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | 16,181 | 58 | $9,450/ $11,450 |
| Southeast Missouri State University | 11,221 | 56 | $9,015/ $15,585 |
| The University of Montana | 12,318 | 49 | $7,719/ $29,634 |
| University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire | 11,504 | 48 | $8,914/ $17,627 |
| University of South Dakota | 11,909 | 43 | $9,432/ $12,942 |
| Saint Cloud State University | 13,144 | 38 | $10,117/ $20,001 |
| University of North Alabama | 10,645 | 36 | $11,220/ $21,420 |
| South Dakota State University | 13,726 | 34 | $9,299/ $12,809 |
| University of North Florida | 19,743 | 24 | $6,389/ $20,793 |
Journalism programs at ACEJMC-accredited universities (Large, university enrollment 20,000 – 35,000)
| Institution name | Total university enrollment | Journalism graduates 2021–22 | Tuition and fees 2022–23 (in/out-of-state) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee–Knoxville | 34,640 | 247 | $13,244/ $31,664 |
| University of Missouri–Columbia | 34,122 | 444 | $11,981/ $31,970 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 34,015 | 400 | $8,989/ $37,550 |
| Auburn University | 34,059 | 308 | $12,176/ $32,960 |
| Stony Brook University | 33,215 | 55 | $10,560/ $28,480 |
| University of Kentucky | 32,909 | 239 | $12,859/ $32,276 |
| University of Iowa | 32,818 | 134 | $10,353/ $32,316 |
| University of Arkansas | 31,882 | 134 | $9,656/ $27,410 |
| University of Oklahoma–Norman Campus | 31,604 | 360 | $9,312/ $25,880 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 31,390 | 219 | $15,828/ $37,786 |
| San Francisco State University | 30,339 | 202 | $7,524/ $19,404 |
| University of Kansas | 29,301 | 259 | $11,167/ $28,035 |
| University of Connecticut | 29,298 | 106 | $19,434/ $42,102 |
| Middle Tennessee State University | 28,573 | 149 | $9,232/ $28,264 |
| Kent State University at Kent | 30,961 | 192 | $12,464/ $21,570 |
| Ohio University–Main Campus | 28,464 | 334 | $13,352/ $23,720 |
| West Virginia University | 28,150 | 331 | $9,360/ $26,568 |
| Iowa State University | 33,010 | 139 | $10,133/ $26,617 |
| University of Nebraska–Lincoln | 26,722 | 308 | $9,872/ $26,984 |
| University of Memphis | 25,394 | 180 | $10,056/ $14,280 |
| University of Oregon | 24,159 | 656 | $15,054/ $41,700 |
| Baylor University | 23,218 | 71 | $51,738 |
| California Polytechnic State University–San Luis Obispo | 23,187 | 58 | $10,319/ $28,229 |
| University of Nevada–Reno | 23,185 | 116 | $8,947/ $25,501 |
| Ball State University | 22,903 | 366 | $10,440/ $27,924 |
| Kansas State University | 22,569 | 88 | $10,448/ $26,519 |
Journalism programs at ACEJMC-accredited universities (Very large, university enrollment above 35,000)
| Institution name | Total university enrollment | Journalism graduates 2021–22 | Tuition and fees 2022–23 (in/out-of-state) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at Austin | 55,143 | 1,019 | $11,698/ $41,070 |
| Michigan State University | 53,948 | 935 | $15,372/ $41,958 |
| Arizona State University Digital Immersion | 85,285 | 742 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania State University–Main Campus | 51,693 | 722 | $19,835/ $38,651 |
| Temple University | 38,470 | 721 | $21,135/ $35,608 |
| Texas State University | 41,900 | 702 | $11,135/ $22,559 |
| University of Georgia | 44,180 | 644 | $11,180/ $30,220 |
| Syracuse University | 37,114 | 641 | $60,135 |
| University of Southern California | 54,222 | 626 | $64,726 |
| The University of Alabama | 42,327 | 615 | $11,940/ $32,300 |
| Florida International University | 71,842 | 607 | $6,565/ $18,963 |
| California State University–Northridge | 42,700 | 600 | $7,069/ $18,949 |
| University of North Texas | 49,386 | 599 | $11,140/ $20,932 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | 43,746 | 582 | $13,106/ $40,356 |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | 59,231 | 581 | $11,447/ $39,120 |
| University of South Carolina–Columbia | 38,614 | 483 | $12,688/ $33,928 |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion | 85,163 | 430 | $11,618/ $30,592 |
| Brigham Young University | 39,321 | 407 | $6,304 |
| University of South Florida | 58,826 | 395 | $6,410/ $17,324 |
| University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign | 62,303 | 326 | $15,714/ $33,686 |
| Louisiana State University | 39,475 | 314 | $11,954/ $28,631 |
| University of Minnesota–Twin Cities | 60,763 | 302 | $15,859/ $35,099 |
| San Diego State University | 39,053 | 269 | $8,174/ $20,054 |
| San Jose State University | 40,879 | 190 | $7,899/ $19,779 |
| University of Maryland–College Park | 42,195 | 163 | $11,233/ $39,469 |
| Colorado State University–Fort Collins | 36,664 | 150 | $12,874/ $32,734 |
| California State University–Fullerton | 45,855 | 146 | $7,007/ $18,887 |
| University of Washington–Seattle Campus | 57,530 | 135 | $12,242/ $40,740 |
| California State University–Long Beach | 43,743 | 131 | $6,884/ $18,764 |
| University of Arizona | 54,374 | 69 | $13,275/ $39,577 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 39,462 | 4 | $14,586/ $34,838 |
Data sources and methodology
U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Tuition (2022-23) and 12-month unduplicated head count as reported by the institutions. Journalism and related degree conferrals (2021-22) are based on the following areas of study (CIP codes):
- 09.0102 Mass Communication/Media Studies.
- 09.0199 Communication and Media Studies, Other.
- 09.04 Journalism.
- 09.07 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.
- 09.09 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.
- 09.10 Publishing.
- 09.99 Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other.
Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). List of accredited programs based on ACEJMC data. Provisionally accredited institutions indicated with an asterisk (*).
All data retrieved February 2024.
How do you choose a journalism program?
Students have so many options when it comes to deciding where to major in journalism that it can feel overwhelming at times.
It can help to first determine your priorities. Some things you might want to think about include:
Do you want a big school or a small school?
What part of the country do you want to live in?
Is there a specific type of journalism you want to study?
Are you looking for an undergraduate or graduate degree in journalism?
Do you want an in-person or online journalism degree?
When you begin to dig deep into the colleges and universities you’re especially interested in, you’ll want to evaluate some basic factors, such as:
Whether it’s accredited
Class sizes
Faculty-to-student ratio
Tuition and scholarship opportunities
Once you start narrowing your list and visiting your top schools, you can start trying to get a feel for the culture of each program. What would it be like to be a student there?
Here are some things to keep in mind and ask about when you visit or chat with school representatives or students:
What do journalism students get involved in or have the chance to participate in? Along with the classes you’ll take, experiential learning opportunities, hands-on activities, and professional experiences are crucial components to any journalism program. Does the school have campus media staffed by students, such as a newspaper, magazine, radio station, podcast, television news show, or video production unit? Perhaps the program cultivates partnerships with local media or businesses for students to hone their professional media and communication skills. If you want to go into sports media or sports communication, does the school have an athletics department you can get involved with, or does it have partnerships with local or regional sports teams?
How many students participate in internships or related professional experiences? Does the program have staff or faculty dedicated to helping students find such opportunities?
Does the school offer opportunities to see what it’s like to be in their program before you enroll, such as a journalism summer camp? For example, the Iowa Summer Journalism Workshops offer high school students four days of learning from professors and professional journalists, as well as a chance to experience campus life.
How popular is the journalism major?
Journalism and communications are consistently ranked among the top 10 most popular majors. 86,572 degrees were conferred during the 2021–22 academic year for communication, journalism, and related programs.
As mentioned above, there are numerous websites that offer journalism school rankings, including those for the best online colleges for journalism. If you do look at or use any of these in your search, it’s important to remember that each of these rankings uses unique metrics to judge schools. They aren’t one-size-fits-all.
They may not consider factors that are valuable to you. For example, if the diversity of the student or faculty body is important to you, know that diversity does not factor into many of the national rankings.
So, while you don’t have to completely ignore rankings, don’t put all your trust in them and disregard your other priorities when choosing a college or university journalism program.
Advice from students, alumni about what to look for in a journalism program
Emily Hoerner
Investigative journalist for the Chicago Tribune. BA, journalism and mass communication, 2012, University of Iowa; MSJ, journalism, 2015, Northwestern University
"Having been to two great journalism schools, one thing that was really important to me was the ability to have good relationships with my professors. The University of Iowa might be a big school, but my journalism classes were small, which allowed me to build those relationships. Finding a school that offers support and resources to get internships is also important, as is finding a school that is a nice culture fit for you, that is going to give you what you want out of your college experience."
Max Willis
University of Iowa fourth-year student working toward a double major in journalism and mass communication and African American studies, and a minor in sport and recreation management
"The most important thing I would say when you’re choosing a journalism program is to make sure the school has all the options that you want. Make sure it’s not limited to one track or limited to one area of study. I get to choose from a multitude of areas, which means that I will have a variety of tools that I can use in the future. I also can mix and match my journalism degree with many different majors and minors."
Sahithi Shankaiahgari
Intern for the Conflict Resolution Program with The Carter Center. BA, journalism and mass communication and international relations, certificate in nonprofit leadership and philanthropy, 2024, University of Iowa
"I advise new students to explore and get out there. I think a lot of people, when they first come to college, are very keen to get going on one track. But look for a school that offers a range of classes and experiences, whether it’s graphic design, photo, video, or whatever. You just might find your passion lies somewhere else."
How much do journalists make?
In our world of constant information flow, the role of journalism has never been more crucial. People with journalism degrees dig deep, uncover stories, and bring them to light. But for those who want to pursue headlines and bylines, a question lingers: Do journalists make good money?
Below you’ll find salary ranges, categorized by the type of job often held by those with a journalism degree. The average annual salary is there, but we also want to show what an income looks like at various percentiles (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th). The lower points give you an idea of where entry-level jobs might land, or what you might be paid in certain geographic regions that aren’t major media markets. (It’s not impossible to make six figures right out of college, but it’s hardly common.)
| CATEGORY | AVERAGE | 10TH % | 25TH % | 50TH % | 75TH % | 90TH % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public relations managers | $159,420 | $76,160 | $99,180 | $134,760 | $191,840 | ≥ $239,200 |
| Advertising and promotion managers | $152,620 | $63,580 | $88,810 | $131,870 | $188,530 | ≥ $239,200 |
| Digital communication managers | $146,320 | $67,370 | $97,990 | $133,560 | $174,510 | $225,120 |
| Fundraising managers | $133,620 | $68,800 | $86,880 | $119,200 | $162,660 | $212,730 |
| Web and digital interface designers | $108,820 | $48,210 | $66,020 | $98,540 | $139,500 | $176,490 |
| Producers and directors | $107,170 | $42,040 | $58,540 | $82,510 | $128,040 | $174,540 |
| News analysts, reporters, and journalists | $101,430 | $31,550 | $38,160 | $57,500 | $91,890 | $160,360 |
| Writers and authors | $87,590 | $40,900 | $52,660 | $73,690 | $100,990 | $148,240 |
| Broadcast announcers and radio DJs | $86,950 | $24,400 | $30,920 | $44,890 | $66,070 | $127,560 |
| Technical writers | $86,620 | $48,630 | $62,060 | $80,050 | $102,260 | $129,440 |
| Editors | $85,110 | $38,790 | $51,810 | $75,020 | $101,100 | $138,920 |
| Film and video editors | $83,470 | $38,990 | $48,920 | $66,600 | $101,910 | $154,480 |
| Public relations specialists | $77,720 | $38,570 | $50,280 | $66,750 | $92,290 | $126,220 |
| Fundraisers | $70,760 | $39,440 | $49,560 | $64,160 | $83,120 | $106,700 |
| Health education specialists | $69,790 | $39,630 | $48,210 | $62,860 | $83,800 | $107,920 |
| Photographers | $53,380 | $28,510 | $32,240 | $40,760 | $62,480 | $95,740 |
| Proofreaders and copy markers | $51,100 | $31,730 | $37,940 | $48,790 | $59,090 | $75,510 |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023)
The average journalist salary figure does differ by region — the best-paid journalists tend to find themselves working on the coasts, home to many major media markets. Those markets have greater demand for certain types of journalists — salary data show that, on average, major broadcast media markets pay more competitive rates for producers, directors, and announcers. As a result, those positions in those regions often rank among the highest-paid journalism jobs.
Below you’ll find a sampling of average salaries for popular jobs for journalism and mass communication grads, pulled from states located in various regions of the United States.
| CATEGORY | U.S. avg. | California | Arizona | Colorado | Minnesota | Illinois | Georgia | D.C. | Maine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public relations managers | $159,420 | $170,470 | $115,710 | $156,370 | $147,650 | $134,850 | $152,160 | $224,110 | $127,530 |
| Advertising and promotion managers | $152,620 | $175,080 | $141,080 | n/a | $120,040 | $117,550 | $158,550 | $127,200 | $132,740 |
| Digital communication managers | $146,320 | $181,760 | $139,130 | $168,620 | $154,030 | $143,940 | $128,990 | $168,180 | $116,420 |
| Fundraising managers | $133,620 | $154,200 | n/a | $140,140 | $119,700 | $109,830 | $124,960 | $155,480 | $117,590 |
| Web and digital interface designers | $108,820 | $137,180 | $97,850 | $115,720 | $88,000 | $82,100 | $101,970 | $96,270 | $78,530 |
| Producers and directors | $107,170 | $132,990 | $64,450 | $89,080 | $71,300 | $85,570 | $91,950 | $102,380 | $77,930 |
| News analysts, reporters, and journalists | $101,430 | $130,570 | $57,750 | $66,160 | $47,860 | $52,810 | $83,810 | $138,590 | $51,080 |
| Writers and authors | $87,590 | $108,640 | $62,480 | $90,990 | $73,740 | $69,630 | $96,500 | $105,100 | $101,530 |
| Broadcast announcers and radio DJs | $86,950 | n/a | $57,040 | $95,080 | $45,560 | $65,570 | $60,620 | n/a | $42,800 |
| Technical writers | $86,620 | $109,380 | $58,030 | $93,530 | $78,540 | $88,620 | $82,780 | $102,070 | $74,950 |
| Editors | $85,110 | $103,380 | $70,630 | $76,260 | $61,540 | $69,050 | $66,770 | $106,460 | $62,180 |
| Film and video editors | $83,470 | $101,600 | $60,030 | $70,860 | $64,730 | $59,860 | $54,620 | $83,830 | $46,050 |
| Public relations specialists | $77,720 | $87,770 | $70,290 | $80,620 | $74,320 | $76,570 | $91,040 | $114,250 | $60,830 |
| Fundraisers | $70,760 | $81,430 | $84,750 | $74,350 | $71,380 | $64,760 | $68,710 | $82,950 | $65,620 |
| Health education specialists | $69,790 | $76,460 | $63,410 | $64,470 | $70,740 | $67,000 | $95,140 | $106,100 | $58,400 |
| Photographers | $53,380 | $75,510 | $45,550 | $55,030 | n/a | $44,050 | $55,160 | $88,540 | $48,220 |
| Proofreaders and copy markers | $51,100 | $65,730 | n/a | $48,960 | $48,720 | $47,310 | $42,510 | $83,440 | n/a |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023)
(If you are interested in numbers from other states, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website and select the state you’re interested in. There’s a lot of data on each state’s page; searching the page for a specific job title is a quick way to find what you want.)
Yes, certain regions have higher salaries. But it would be wise to plug numbers into a cost-of-living calculator to see how far a dollar in one region might stretch (or shrink) in a different ZIP code. There are many calculator options on the web; this one from SmartAsset has a broad selections of U.S. cities available for comparison.
How much does it cost to study journalism in the U.S.?
How much you’ll pay to get a journalism degree depends on myriad factors.
Five things that can influence how much it costs to study journalism include:
- Public vs. private: Private colleges and universities tend to be more expensive than their public counterparts. Meanwhile, if you go to a public institution, tuition will likely be lower if you are an in-state student vs. an out-of-state student.
- Room and board: Tuition fees usually do not cover room and board. If you don’t want to live on campus, where your school is located can greatly influence how much you’ll pay for housing and other cost-of-living expenses.
- Online vs. in person: If you choose to pursue a journalism degree through an online program, it’s possible that it may cost less — but not always.
- Financial aid and scholarships: Most students need some kind of assistance to help cover their tuition. These forms of assistance can dramatically impact your overall cost.
- Other expenses: The tuition fee is not the only thing journalism students may have to think about. You’ll also likely need to purchase books and other necessary technology, equipment, or materials. Experiential learning opportunities such as internships or field trips also may require some additional expense.
What might you pay for your degree?
Average tuition and fees for colleges and universities that are accredited by Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC):
- In-state: $14,525
- Out-of-state: $28,563
What is the best major for journalism?
While a bachelor’s degree in journalism might seem like the obvious choice for aspiring journalists, it’s important to recognize that this may not always be the case. The specific journalism or communication path you’re eyeing will significantly impact the ideal degree or concentration for you — as well as the best journalism school for you.
Tailoring your education to your chosen media or communication niche is crucial. Consider exploring institutions that offer degrees or concentrations in reporting and writing, broadcasting, sports media, strategic communication, multimedia production and design, public relations, or even data science.
You’ll also need to decide what level of degree you want or need for the career you seek. A bachelor’s degree explores a discipline more broadly and usually takes four years to complete. If you want to further specialize in a certain area or pursue an advanced career in research or academia, or as a senior leader in an organization, you can acquire a master’s degree in strategic communication or PhD in mass communication. An associate degree also may help you break into the field.
Some journalism students also get a double major, minor, or certificate in a related or complementary field, such as communications, business, political science, or sport recreation and management.
Furthermore, weigh the pros and cons of getting an online journalism degree. With numerous colleges and universities offering journalism programs, you are sure to find the option that aligns best with your preferences and goals.
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