Cheapest Journalism Colleges in Texas

Texas A&M University-Commerce delivers the state's most affordable journalism education at just $11,268 per year, undercutting the average by thousands while maintaining an 86% acceptance rate. This dramatic cost advantage becomes even more striking when compared to private options like University of the Incarnate Word at $20,498 annually. The state's journalism market benefits from Texas being home to the nation's second-largest media market, with major news outlets across Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin creating substantial entry-level opportunities. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with eight of the ten cheapest programs offered by state institutions. Graduates face varying earning potential, from Texas State's $19,749 median to UT Austin's $37,980, reflecting the wide range of career paths available in Texas media markets. The gap between cheapest and most expensive programs reaches over $30,000 annually, making careful selection important for managing education costs while accessing quality journalism training.

Programs

$11,268 – $41,942

Net Price Range

$33,195

Avg. Program Earnings

57.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

20 Journalism Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Texas A & M University-Commerce Commerce, Texas	$11,268	$10,026	45.9%	86.5%
2	Angelo State University San Angelo, Texas	$12,915	$8,319	40.7%	79.1%
3	University of Houston Houston, Texas	$13,853	$9,711	64.9%	66.2%
4	University of North Texas Denton, Texas	$14,352	$11,164	59.6%	79.1%
5	Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, Texas	$15,152	$10,600	51.7%	89.5%
6	The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, Texas	$15,235	$11,728	56.5%	80.8%
7	Texas State University San Marcos, Texas	$16,438	$11,450	56.2%	87.7%
8	Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, Texas	$17,760	$31,728	42.4%
9	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$19,678	$11,678	87.6%	31.4%
10	Houston Christian University Houston, Texas	$19,710	$38,100	49.8%	84.5%
11	Texas Southern University Houston, Texas	$19,734	$9,173	19.9%	96.8%
12	Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas	$20,071	$11,852	67.5%	67.3%
13	University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, Texas	$20,498	$35,660	51.8%	94.2%
14	Southwestern Adventist University Keene, Texas	$20,581	$24,588	41.1%	53.6%
15	West Texas A & M University Canyon, Texas	$20,841	$9,101	47.3%	91.6%
16	Abilene Christian University Abilene, Texas	$27,401	$42,380	60.2%	65.8%
17	University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Belton, Texas	$28,690	$33,150	53.4%	95.7%
18	Texas Christian University Fort Worth, Texas	$33,531	$57,220	85.6%	56.1%
19	Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas	$41,778	$64,460	83.3%	52.3%
20	Baylor University Waco, Texas	$41,942	$54,844	80.2%	45.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive price difference between the cheapest and most expensive journalism programs?

Public universities dominate the affordable tier, with Texas A&M-Commerce costing $11,268 compared to private institutions that can exceed $35,000 annually. In-state tuition rates create additional savings, with Texas A&M-Commerce charging just $10,026 for residents. Private schools like University of the Incarnate Word charge $35,660 in tuition alone, nearly triple the total cost of the cheapest public option.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Texas journalism schools?

UT Austin commands the highest net price at $19,678 but delivers an 87.6% graduation rate, the best performance among journalism programs. Texas A&M-Commerce achieves a solid 45.9% graduation rate despite its low $11,268 cost. Surprisingly, Texas Southern University shows just a 19.9% graduation rate at $19,734, demonstrating that higher costs don't guarantee better outcomes.

Is the earning potential worth the investment at more expensive Texas journalism programs?

UT Austin graduates earn $37,980 annually despite paying $19,678 in net costs, creating a favorable return ratio. However, Texas State students face the lowest earnings at $19,749 while paying $16,438 annually, suggesting weaker job placement or market positioning. University of North Texas offers strong value with $35,021 graduate earnings at just $14,352 in costs.

Does student debt burden vary significantly across Texas journalism programs?

Graduate debt ranges dramatically from $16,869 at Texas State to $31,000 at Texas Southern University, a nearly 85% difference. UT Austin maintains relatively low debt at $17,250 despite higher costs, likely due to better financial aid packages. Texas Tech graduates carry $22,000 in debt, moderate considering their $32,284 earning potential upon graduation.

Where do acceptance rates create the most competitive admission environments?

UT Austin maintains highly selective admission at just 31.35% acceptance, reflecting its status as the state's flagship journalism program. Most affordable options remain accessible, with Texas A&M-Commerce accepting 86.45% of applicants and Stephen F Austin accepting 89.51%. Texas Southern University accepts 96.8% of applicants, making it the least selective option among journalism programs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.