Best colleges for Journalism in Alabama
Ranked by graduate earnings
Auburn University, The University of Alabama and Samford University are the top bachelor's Journalism programs in Alabama by graduate earnings. Auburn University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,357, College Scorecard. The University of Alabama, Auburn University and Samford University award the most Journalism degrees in Alabama: 127, 64 and 49 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Alabama colleges offer Journalism and award 264 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Journalism program focuses on the principles and practices of reporting, writing, and broadcasting news. It is designed for students who are passionate about storytelling and wish to explore the diverse cultural values and ethical…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auburn University Auburn Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,357 | 64 | 82% | — | $20,500 |
| 2 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,509 | 127 | 73% | — | $25,000 |
| 3 | Samford University Birmingham Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,311 | 49 | 77% | $28,160 | $18,120 |
Colleges awarding the most Journalism degrees in Alabama
Top 8 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Public | 127 | $35,509 |
| 2 | Auburn University Auburn Public | 64 | $38,357 |
| 3 | Samford University Birmingham Private not-for-profit | 49 | $30,311 |
| 4 | University of South Alabama Mobile Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 5 | Troy University Troy Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 6 | Oakwood University Huntsville Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Mobile Mobile Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 8 | Spring Hill College Mobile Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Alabama colleges offering Journalism
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stillman College | Tuscaloosa | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists (SOC 27-3023).
Top skills
What News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists earn in Alabama
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Journalism programs in Alabama.
Which Alabama colleges award the most Journalism degrees?+
The University of Alabama (127 graduates a year), Auburn University (64 graduates a year) and Samford University (49 graduates a year) award the most Journalism degrees in Alabama, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Alabama colleges offer Journalism.
What is the best college for Journalism in Alabama?+
By graduate earnings, Auburn University leads among bachelor's Journalism programs in Alabama, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,357, College Scorecard. The University of Alabama and Samford University follow. By degrees awarded, The University of Alabama is the largest, with 127 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Journalism program in Alabama has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Auburn University tops the list at $38,357. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists earn in Alabama?+
The average annual wage for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Alabama is $52,660 (median $43,440), across about 530 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Journalism program?+
The Journalism program focuses on the principles and practices of reporting, writing, and broadcasting news. It is designed for students who are passionate about storytelling and wish to explore the diverse cultural values and ethical…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, writing, reading comprehension, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists?+
The national job outlook is about -3.9% growth with around 4,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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