2026 Best Journalism Schools
Looking for the best Journalism programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 525 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Journalism Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is Georgetown University, our #1 Journalism school in the United States. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. The median Journalism program debt is $16,483. See the full Georgetown University profile
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top choices in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Journalism students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Out of the 525 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Florida landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. The median Journalism program debt is $17,054. Read the full report on University Of Florida
A rank of #4 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top choices in the United States. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,333 to complete their Journalism program here. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #5 on this year's Journalism ranking in the United States. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical Journalism student debt is $21,400. See the full University Of Missouri Columbia profile
Elon University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Elon, NC, Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Typical Journalism student debt is $19,875. Get the full Elon University report
University Of Southern California landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. University Of Southern California Journalism students take on a median of $16,250 in debt. More on University Of Southern California
Samford University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Birmingham, AL, Samford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $18,120 in student loans. Read the full report on Samford University
Drake University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete their Journalism program here. Read the full report on Drake University
University Of Kansas landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. The median Journalism program debt is $22,811. More on University Of Kansas
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Austin, TX. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Journalism student debt is $21,500. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Journalism program here. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Southern Methodist University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dallas, TX. Southern Methodist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. The median Journalism program debt is $19,448. Read the full report on Southern Methodist University
George Washington University placed #15 among Journalism schools in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full George Washington University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Journalism students take on a median of $22,300 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Fairfield University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Fairfield, CT, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,400. The median Journalism program debt is $26,687. Read more about Fairfield University
Indiana University Bloomington did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University Bloomington posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More on Indiana University Bloomington
Texas Christian University placed #19 among Journalism schools in the United States. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. The median Journalism program debt is $22,960. Read more about Texas Christian University
Kansas State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Journalism schools. Located in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical Journalism student debt is $21,500. Read more about Kansas State University
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Journalism schools. Located in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical Journalism student debt is $15,750. More on University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Iowa ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Journalism schools. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Graduates carry a median of $25,907 in student loans. More on University Of Iowa
American University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Based in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. American University Journalism students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Get the full American University report
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Journalism schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school based in Fort Collins, CO. Colorado State University Fort Collins posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical Journalism student debt is $22,500. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
Concordia College At Moorhead placed #25 among Journalism schools in the United States. Based in Moorhead, MN, Concordia College At Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,170. The median Journalism program debt is $26,637. Read the full report on Concordia College At Moorhead
Rest of the Top 50 Best Journalism Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Journalism students take on a median of $15,117 in debt. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Iowa State University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Journalism schools. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Iowa State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Journalism program here. See the full Iowa State University profile
The College Of New Jersey placed #28 among Journalism schools in the United States. Set in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Students borrow a median of $24,429 to complete their Journalism program here. Read more about The College Of New Jersey
Miami University Oxford placed #29 among Journalism schools in the United States. Located in Oxford, OH, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Miami University Oxford posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Journalism program here. Read more about Miami University Oxford
Emerson College placed #30 among Journalism schools in the United States. Located in Boston, MA, Emerson College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,056. Typical Journalism student debt is $24,580. Read more about Emerson College
Loyola Marymount University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,867. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete their Journalism program here. More on Loyola Marymount University
Baylor University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Based in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,100. Graduates carry a median of $23,959 in student loans. Get the full Baylor University report
Syracuse University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Syracuse University
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Journalism schools. Located in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Journalism students take on a median of $21,000 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Kearney, NE, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. University Of Nebraska At Kearney posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Graduates carry a median of $22,602 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Wilmington University did well this year, earning the #36 position. Located in New Castle, DE, Wilmington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wilmington University graduates 22% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,630. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete their Journalism program here. See the full Wilmington University profile
Gonzaga University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Located in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full Gonzaga University profile
Saint Bonaventure University placed #38 among Journalism schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Bonaventure, NY. Saint Bonaventure University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Students from in state pay about $41,735 in tuition and fees. Typical Journalism student debt is $27,000. See the full Saint Bonaventure University profile
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Norman, OK. About 75% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Journalism students take on a median of $24,250 in debt. See the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus profile
University Of Scranton landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Set in Scranton, PA, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,777. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full University Of Scranton profile
University Of Arkansas landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Journalism program here. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas
Boston University placed #42 among Journalism schools in the United States. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Boston University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. The median Journalism program debt is $24,813. Read more about Boston University
Utah State University did well this year, earning the #43 position. Based in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Utah State University Journalism students take on a median of $16,710 in debt. Read more about Utah State University
Georgia College And State University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Georgia College And State University is a public school based in Milledgeville, GA. Georgia College And State University graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about Georgia College And State University
Creighton University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Journalism schools. Based in Omaha, NE, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Creighton University graduates 83% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,856. Creighton University Journalism students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on Creighton University
Chapman University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Orange, CA. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,984. The median Journalism program debt is $22,500. Read the full report on Chapman University
Bethel University Minnesota landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. More on Bethel University Minnesota
North Dakota State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #48 position. Based in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical Journalism student debt is $25,153. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
Marquette University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full Marquette University profile
South Dakota State University did well this year, earning the #50 position. This public school is set in Brookings, SD. South Dakota State University graduates 62% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. South Dakota State University Journalism students take on a median of $24,989 in debt. See the full South Dakota State University profile
Best Journalism Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Journalism Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Journalism Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Journalism Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Journalism Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Journalism Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 525 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).