2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in California
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
Finding the Best Journalism School for You
Journalism is the #66 most popular major in California with 1,622 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Journalism Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 24 schools in California to see which programs offered the best value experiences for journalism students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
Top 10 Best Journalism Schools
Our analysis found San Diego Mesa College to be the best value school for journalism students who want to pursue a degree in California. San Diego Mesa College is a fairly large public school located in the large city of San Diego.
San Diego Mesa College undergraduate students pay an average of $1,144 in in-state tuition and fees each year.
Full Journalism at San Diego Mesa College Report
Request Information
The excellent programs at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best journalism schools in California. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo undergraduate students pay an average of $10,195 in in-state tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, journalism graduates from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo carry an average student debtload of $18,581. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $310.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also claimed a spot on our Best Journalism Schools in California list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.
Read full report on Journalism at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Request Information
The excellent programs at California State University - Chico helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best journalism schools in California. Chico State is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Chico.
In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Chico State are $7,864 per year. Journalism majors at Chico State take out an average of $19,479 in student loans while working on their egree.
Request Information
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means San Jose State University is a great value for journalism students. San Jose State is a very large public school located in the large city of San Jose.
In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at San Jose State are $7,852 per year.
San Jose State also claimed a spot on our Best Journalism Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Request Information
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Francisco State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in California list. Located in the city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at SFSU are $7,304 a year. On average, journalism graduates from SFSU take out $17,052 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $111, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Request Information
California State University - Long Beach landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value journalism programs. CSULB is a very large public school located in the large city of Long Beach.
The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at CSULB are $6,846 a year. Journalism majors at CSULB take out an average of $15,413 in student loans while working on their egree.
Request Information
San Diego State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of San Diego, SDSU is a public college with a fairly large student population.
In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SDSU are $8,136 per year. After completing their degree, journalism graduates from SDSU carry an average student debtload of $23,046.
Read full report on Journalism at San Diego State University
Request Information
California State University - Fresno came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno State is a public school with a very large student population.
Fresno State undergraduate students pay an average of $6,653 in in-state tuition and fees each year.
Request Information
California State University - Sacramento ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in California list. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Sac State undergraduate students pay an average of $7,392 in in-state tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, journalism graduates from Sac State carry an average student debtload of $19,070.
Full Journalism at California State University - Sacramento Report
Request Information
California State University - Northridge landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value journalism programs. Located in the large city of Northridge, CSUN is a public college with a very large student population.
CSUN undergraduate students pay an average of $7,043 in in-state tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, journalism graduates from CSUN carry an average student debtload of $15,957.
Full Journalism at California State University - Northridge Report
Request InformationBest Value Journalism Colleges in the Far Western US Region
Explore all the Best Value Journalism Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Washington | 216 |
| Oregon | 155 |
| Nevada | 156 |
| Hawaii | 11 |
| Alaska | 19 |
More Journalism Rankings in California
Majors Related to Journalism
Journalism is one of 5 different types of programs to choose from.
Majors Similar to Journalism
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Communication & Media Studies | 66,787 |
| Public Relations & Advertising | 21,099 |
| Radio, Television & Digital Communication | 17,669 |
| Communication & Journalism (Other) | 1,128 |
| Publishing | 336 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 24 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Jfurrer.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.