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2023 Most Focused Colleges for General Journalism in California

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Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2021-2022, 10,697 people earned their degree in general journalism, making the major the 69th most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 1,479 general journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California” ranking analyzed 82 colleges that offered a degree in general journalism. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their general journalism program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 “Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california journalism students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for General Journalism in California

1
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San Diego State University
San Diego, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego State University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 145 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full San Diego State University General Journalism Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Northridge. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California. CSUN is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 133 ’s journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Journalism at California State University - Northridge

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 95 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Journalism at California State University - Fresno

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 58 ’s journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Journalism at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

5
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Biola University
La Mirada, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Biola University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California list. Biola is a medium-sized school located in La Mirada, California that handed out 23 ’s journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%.

Read more about General Journalism at Biola University

6

California State University - Chico ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California list. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 44 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Chico General Journalism Report

7

California State University - Long Beach came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 85 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about General Journalism at CSULB

8
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Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #8, Loyola Marymount University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California list. Loyola Marymount is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 33 ’s journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Loyola Marymount University General Journalism Report

9
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Arcata, California, and it awarded 21 ’s journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 Humboldt State University

10
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San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking, coming in at #10. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Read full report on General Journalism at San Francisco State University

11
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking, coming in at #11. Academy of Art University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Journalism at Academy of Art University

12
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, California

De Anza College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking. De Anza College is located in Cupertino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 more about General Journalism at De Anza College

13
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, California

Fullerton College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Fullerton, California, this fairly large public school handed out 16 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2021-2022.

Read more about General Journalism at Fullerton College

14
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Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, California

Mount Saint Mary’s University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 Mount Saint Mary’s University

15
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University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking, coming in at #15. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 180 ’s journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on General Journalism at USC

16
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Glendale Community College
Glendale, California

With a ranking of #16, Glendale Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California list. Glendale Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Glendale, California. It awarded 5 ’s journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 Glendale Community College

17
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Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, California

Cosumnes River College ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California list. Located in Sacramento, California, this fairly large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Read full report on General Journalism at Cosumnes River College

18
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, California

Las Positas College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking. Las Positas College is a public institution located in Livermore, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Las Positas College General Journalism Report

19
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking, coming in at #19. San Jose State University is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 27 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full San Jose State University General Journalism Report

20

California State University - Sacramento landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 43 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Journalism at Sac State

21

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking, coming in at #21. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 28 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%.

Full CSUDH General Journalism Report

22
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

Fresno City College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking, coming in at #22. Fresno City College is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 9 ’s journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 full report on General Journalism at Fresno City College

23

The University of Arizona Global Campus ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California list. Located in San Diego, California, this large private for-profit school awarded 59 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Journalism at The University of Arizona Global Campus

24
Sacramento City crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, California

With a ranking of #24, Sacramento City College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California list. Located in Sacramento, California, this fairly large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2021-2022.

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 Sacramento City College

25
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major in California ranking. Cal Baptist is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 13 ’s journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 California Baptist University

Notes and References

References

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