Find Affordable College Courses

What Do You Want to Study?

Best Value Communication & Journalism Master's Degree Schools

2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Master's Degree Schools

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

322 Colleges
$10,163 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$47,415 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Communication & Journalism Master's Degree School for You

In 2020-2021, 120,571 people earned a degree or certificate in communication and journalism, making the major the #11 most popular in the United States.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Communication & Journalism Master's Degree Schools ranking. This report analyzed 322 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value master's degree programs for communication and journalism students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. 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.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality for a Master's in Communication & Journalism

#1

La Salle University

Philadelphia, PA

Our analysis found La Salle University to be the best value school for communication and journalism students who want to pursue a master’s degree in the United States. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, La Salle is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

La Salle graduate students pay an average of $1,455 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Communication & Journalism at La Salle University Report

Request Information

The excellent master’s degree programs at Columbia College Chicago helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value communication and journalism schools in the United States. Columbia is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

Columbia graduate students pay an average of $2,350 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

Request Information

The excellent master’s degree programs at Brigham Young University - Provo helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value communication and journalism schools in the United States. BYU is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at BYU are $7,700 per year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, BYU also is in the top 20% of our Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools ranking.

Read More…

Request Information
#4

Drake University

Des Moines, IA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Drake University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the midsize city of Des Moines, Drake is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Drake graduate students pay an average of $11,988 in tuition and fees each year.

Drake excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Drake University

Request Information
#5

Ashland University

Ashland, OH

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ashland University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list. Ashland is a small private not-for-profit school located in the fringe town of Ashland.

Ashland graduate students pay an average of $6,972 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Communication & Journalism at Ashland University Report

Request Information
#6

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor, MI

Spring Arbor University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree communication and journalism programs. Spring Arbor is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spring Arbor.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Spring Arbor are $8,383 per year.

Read More…

Request Information
#7

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, IA

University of Dubuque came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools ranking. UD is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Dubuque.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at UD are $7,940 per year.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Dubuque

Request Information

Concordia University, Saint Paul came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University, Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Concordia University, Saint Paul are $8,550 per year.

Read More…

Request Information

With a ranking of #9, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and journalism students working on their master’s degree. Located in the midsize city of Fargo, North Dakota State University is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at North Dakota State University are $12,028 per year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, North Dakota State University also did well on our Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

Request Information
#10

Gonzaga University

Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Gonzaga are $14,878 a year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Gonzaga also did well on our Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Gonzaga University

Request Information

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school located in the city of Mankato.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Minnesota State Mankato are $9,308 a year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Minnesota State Mankato is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list.

Full Communication & Journalism at Minnesota State University - Mankato Report

Request Information
#12

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, MA

Fitchburg State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Fitchburg State graduate students pay an average of $6,012 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Communication & Journalism at Fitchburg State University Report

Request Information
#13

Bellevue University

Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for communication and journalism students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

Bellevue University graduate students pay an average of $11,730 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Bellevue University

Request Information

With a ranking of #14, West Texas A&M University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and journalism students working on their master’s degree. West Texas A&M University is a medium-sized public school located in the fringe town of Canyon.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at West Texas A&M University are $8,574 a year.

Read More…

Request Information
#15

St. Bonaventure University

Saint Bonaventure, NY

St. Bonaventure University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for communication and journalism students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #15 on the list. St. Bonaventure is a small private not-for-profit school located in the remote town of Saint Bonaventure.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at St. Bonaventure are $15,192 a year.

Read More…

Request Information
#16

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools ranking. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the small city of Youngstown.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Youngstown State University are $6,931 per year.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Youngstown State University

Request Information

Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for communication and journalism students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #17 on the list. ASU - Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at ASU - Skysong are $9,982 a year.

Full Communication & Journalism at Arizona State University - Skysong Report

Request Information

With a ranking of #18, Illinois State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and journalism students working on their master’s degree. Located in the midsize suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public college with a very large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Illinois State are $11,773 a year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Illinois State also did well on our Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read More…

Request Information

Northern Illinois University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, NIU is a public college with a large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at NIU are $11,390 a year.

Full Communication & Journalism at Northern Illinois University Report

Request Information
#20

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD

University of South Dakota ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the distant town of Vermillion, USD is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at USD are $12,768 a year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, USD also did well on our Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read More…

Request Information
#21

Asbury University

Wilmore, KY

Asbury University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for communication and journalism students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Asbury is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wilmore.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Asbury are $9,990 per year.

Full Communication & Journalism at Asbury University Report

Request Information

Universidad del Sagrado Corazon ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list. Sagrado is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Santurce.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Sagrado are $5,535 per year.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Universidad del Sagrado Corazon

Request Information
#23

University of Delaware

Newark, DE

With a ranking of #23, University of Delaware did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and journalism students working on their master’s degree. UD is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Newark.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UD are $18,128 a year.

UD excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Delaware

Request Information
#24

Bellarmine University

Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list. Bellarmine U is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Bellarmine U are $13,652 a year.

Read More…

Request Information

South Dakota State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school located in the remote town of Brookings.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at South Dakota State are $16,917 per year.

In addition to its great value ranking, South Dakota State is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools list.

Full Communication & Journalism at South Dakota State University Report

Request Information

Rest of the Top Best Value Communication & Journalism Master's Degree Schools

#26

University of Dayton

Dayton, OH
#27

Biola University

La Mirada, CA
#28

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN
#29

Fairfield University

Fairfield, CT
#30

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, IN
#32

John Carroll University

University Heights, OH
#33

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ
#34

Westminster College Utah

Salt Lake City, UT
#34

Marist College

Poughkeepsie, NY
#37

Villanova University

Villanova, PA
#38

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO
#39

Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ
#40

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA
#43

Lasell University

Newton, MA
#46

Mississippi College

Clinton, MS

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Communication & Journalism Master's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
49 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI
50 Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MD
51 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
52 Cornell University Ithaca, NY
52 Webster University Saint Louis, MO
52 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH
55 Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT
56 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
57 Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, NJ
58 Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN
58 Clarion University of Pennsylvania Clarion, PA
60 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
61 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
61 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
63 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
64 Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX

Communication & Journalism by Region

View the Best Value Communication & Journalism Master's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Communication & Journalism Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Communication & Media Studies 66,787
Public Relations & Advertising 21,099
Radio, Television & Digital Communication 17,669
Journalism 13,552
Communication & Journalism (Other) 1,128
Publishing 336

Majors Similar to Communication & Journalism

Related Major Annual Graduates
Education 327,871
Social Sciences 205,984
Psychology 195,678
Family, Consumer & Human Sciences 55,820
History 32,731

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 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 Josh Hallett.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.