2023 Best Value Colleges for General Journalism (Income $48-$75k) in California
19
Ranked Colleges
1,561
Degrees Awarded
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.
General Journalism is the 69th most popular major in the country with 11,380 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across California, there were 1,561 general journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 19 colleges that offer a degree in general journalism. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general journalism programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general journalism program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The journalism school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for General Journalism (Income $48-$75k) in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 85 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, Fresno State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $8,030 for California Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Journalism at Fresno State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern California. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. USC is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 113 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $22,826 for california journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on General Journalism at USC
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 109 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $11,189 for california journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Journalism at California State University - Long Beach
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 170 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU also made our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $14,698 for California Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full SDSU General Journalism Report
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Sacramento landed the #5 spot on the list. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State also made our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $12,602 for california journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about General Journalism at Sac State
California State University - Los Angeles ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 10 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $5,700 for california journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Journalism at California State University - Los Angeles
California State University - Northridge ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 161 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
CSUN also made our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $10,780 for california journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Journalism at CSUN
With a ranking of #8, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 21 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
CSUDH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $6,333 for California Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on General Journalism at CSUDH
San Jose State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 52 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, San Jose State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $17,338 for california journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Journalism at San Jose State University
With a ranking of #10, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,738 for California Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Chico.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Chico General Journalism Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 80 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $17,340 for California Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo General Journalism Report
San Francisco State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 61 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $16,065 for California Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Journalism at San Francisco State University
Humboldt State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Arcata, California. It awarded 17 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University also made our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $16,716 for California Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about General Journalism at Humboldt State University
California Baptist University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.
Cal Baptist also took the #15 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California Baptist University is $25,553 for california journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Journalism at Cal Baptist
Biola University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in La Mirada, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 16 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
Biola did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” list. It costs about $30,789 for California Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Biola.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Biola University General Journalism Report
Pepperdine University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Pepperdine University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Malibu, California. It awarded 9 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
Pepperdine also made our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Pepperdine University is $32,267 for california journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Pepperdine General Journalism Report
Loyola Marymount University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Loyola Marymount not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola Marymount University is $37,292 for California Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on General Journalism at Loyola Marymount University
Academy of Art University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in San Francisco, California, this medium-sized private for-profit school handed out 13 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, Academy of Art University has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Academy of Art University is $34,695 for California Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Journalism at Academy of Art University
Focus on a Specific Degree Level
Switch to a More General Major
Switch to a Similar Major
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Jfurrer.
