Journalism

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$35,404

Median Earnings

$54,360

Schools Offering

194

ROI Grade

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $49,456Median: $54,36075th: $59,604

Best Schools for Journalism by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Lehigh University PA · Private	93	$81,935	$36,931	$19,500	B
2	George Washington University DC · Private	88	$81,927	$36,586	$25,000	C+
3	Northwestern University IL · Private	94	$80,258	$29,167	$15,333	B+
4	University of Southern California CA · Private	91	$79,776	$32,740	$16,250	B
5	Chapman University CA · Private	64	$79,135	$46,555	$22,500	C+
6	University of Wisconsin-Madison WI · Public	91	$75,967	$17,354	$23,250	C
7	Northeastern University MA · Private	91	$74,709	$30,915	$24,313	C+
8	Fordham University NY · Private	79	$72,475	$44,338	$26,324	C
9	University of Miami FL · Private	78	$71,466	$37,244	$16,000	B
10	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo CA · Public	96	$70,829	$16,665	$19,333	B
11	Syracuse University NY · Private	76	$70,404	$38,793	$27,000	C
12	Elon University NC · Private	75	$69,964	$41,555	$19,875	C
13	University of Missouri-Columbia MO · Public	77	$69,016	$20,268	$21,400	C+
14	University of Maryland-College Park MD · Public	94	$68,128	$15,678	$23,250	C+
15	Creighton University NE · Private	79	$67,808	$31,568	$27,000	C
16	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign IL · Public	93	$67,539	$14,355	$22,300	C
17	The College of New Jersey NJ · Public	83	$67,038	$27,646	N/A	-
18	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities MN · Public	88	$66,799	$16,778	$20,500	C+
19	American University DC · Private	74	$66,635	$41,943	$25,000	C
20	University of Arkansas AR · Public	69	$66,087	$18,209	$21,500	C
21	Boston University MA · Private	90	$65,617	$24,402	$24,813	C
22	Stony Brook University NY · Public	87	$65,535	$18,784	$27,000	B
23	Arizona State University Campus Immersion AZ · Public	77	$64,224	$14,967	$19,937	C+
24	Baylor University TX · Private	63	$63,622	$41,104	$23,959	C
25	California State University-Chico CA · Public	82	$63,358	$14,480	$18,750	C+
26	Emerson College MA · Private	52	$63,337	$49,180	$24,580	C
27	Marquette University WI · Private	83	$63,322	$31,487	$26,000	C
28	Drake University IA · Private	81	$62,969	$29,127	N/A	-
29	Gonzaga University WA · Private	81	$62,743	$35,119	$27,000	D
30	Rutgers University-New Brunswick NJ · Public	83	$62,670	$24,406	$26,000	D
31	Rutgers University-Newark NJ · Public	82	$62,670	$19,703	$26,000	D
32	University of Kansas KS · Public	76	$62,394	$18,059	$22,811	C+
33	Long Island University NY · Private	49	$62,355	$33,062	N/A	-
34	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus PA · Public	62	$62,336	$32,875	$25,000	C
35	Pennsylvania State University-World Campus PA · Public	63	$62,336	$19,550	$25,000	C
36	Quinnipiac University CT · Private	79	$61,819	$40,675	$24,500	C
37	DePaul University IL · Private	68	$61,708	$30,902	$24,334	C
38	Hampton University VA · Private	47	$61,675	$25,319	$26,250	D
39	Hofstra University NY · Private	65	$61,609	$34,176	$25,000	C
40	Ithaca College NY · Private	62	$61,317	$33,926	$25,000	D
41	The University of Texas at Austin TX · Public	90	$61,145	$19,857	$21,500	C+
42	Miami University-Oxford OH · Public	54	$60,974	$28,384	$27,000	D
43	University of Central Florida FL · Public	79	$60,887	$10,411	$22,644	C
44	University of Georgia GA · Public	88	$60,729	$13,936	$21,120	C
45	CUNY Brooklyn College NY · Public	81	$60,272	$3,103	$10,290	B
46	Biola University CA · Private	50	$59,925	$31,495	$27,000	C
47	University of Connecticut CT · Public	85	$59,604	$25,097	$23,250	D
48	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus CT · Public	85	$59,604	$10,875	$23,250	D
49	University of Connecticut-Avery Point CT · Public	87	$59,604	$13,807	$23,250	D
50	University of Connecticut-Stamford CT · Public	84	$59,604	$16,798	$23,250	D

Below Average Value

Is Journalism Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

The financial returns for Journalism are below average. At $35,404 in average earnings four years out, graduates often face a long payback period, especially at higher-cost institutions. This doesn't mean the field is worthless - it means the financial math demands careful attention to school cost and debt levels.

194 schools offer this major, giving you reasonable options. Compare net prices and graduate earnings at your specific target schools - the range between the best and worst ROI within this field is substantial.

The top school for this major by earnings is Stony Brook University, where graduates earn $65,535 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Journalism All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Journalism

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

Best Schools for Journalism by Earnings

Is Journalism Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

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