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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Journalism (Income $30-$48k)

58 Ranked Colleges
1,391 Degrees Awarded
$30,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Journalism is the 62nd most popular major in the country with 14,528 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $31,042 and had an average of $24,628 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,391 journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 58 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in journalism. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great 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 journalism program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Journalism Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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.

Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Journalism (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 120 masters’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northwestern has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567.

Read full report on Journalism at Northwestern University

Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #2 spot on the list. Columbia is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 251 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, Columbia has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Read more about Journalism at Columbia

#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Journalism at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#4

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Georgetown University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Georgetown is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 21 masters’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Georgetown also made our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown University are $53,591.

Read full report on Journalism at Georgetown University

#5

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northeastern University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northeastern University is a large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 12 masters’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern also made our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern are $25,558, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Journalism at Northeastern

#14 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 5 masters’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Journalism at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. University of South Florida - Main Campus is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Journalism Report

#8

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Boston U is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 77 masters’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Boston U also made our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Journalism at Boston U

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 73 masters’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Journalism Report

#10

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UGA is a large public school situated in Athens, Georgia. It awarded 49 masters’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, UGA has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476.

Full University of Georgia Journalism Report

#11

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

University of North Texas came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 21 masters’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Journalism at UNT

With a ranking of #12, University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Juan, is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s journalism degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UPR Rio Piedras are $3,620, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Journalism at UPR Rio Piedras

#23 in overall quality

Iowa State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State are $25,948, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Iowa State University Journalism Report

#14

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland - College Park came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in College Park, Maryland, and it awarded 21 masters’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

UMCP also made our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885.

Read full report on Journalism at UMCP

#15

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399.

Read full report on Journalism at University of Arizona

#16

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school awarded 37 diplomas to qualified masters’s journalism students in 2019-2020.

Iowa also took the #5 spot in our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Iowa Journalism Report

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. ASU - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Journalism at Arizona State University - Tempe

#18

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 71 masters’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Journalism at USC

#19

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS also took the #0 spot in our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIS are $16,757, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Journalism at UIS

#20

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia

George Washington University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s journalism degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

GWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at GWU are $31,824, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Journalism at GWU

#21

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in University, Mississippi, and it awarded 8 masters’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ole Miss are $25,099, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Mississippi Journalism Report

#22

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. West Virginia University is located in Morgantown, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at WVU are $26,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full WVU Journalism Report

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 28 masters’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

UNL also took the #15 spot in our “Best Journalism Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNL are $19,513, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Journalism at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

#24

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Huntington, West Virginia, this fairly large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified masters’s journalism students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Marshall University are $21,162, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Journalism at Marshall University

University of Nevada - Reno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. UNR is a large school located in Reno, Nevada that handed out 8 masters’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNR are $21,971, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Journalism at UNR

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

Footnotes

  • *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.

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