Best Journalism institutions in California, ranked by earnings
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 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,637 | 85 | 86% | — | $19,333 |
| 2 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,651 | 137 | 92% | $26,873 | $16,250 |
| 3 | Pepperdine University Malibu Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,536 | 9 | 83% | $41,986 | — |
| 4 | Biola University La Mirada Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,997 | 10 | 68% | $26,727 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Chapman University Orange Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,645 | 30 | 82% | $42,965 | $22,500 |
| 6 | California State University - Chico Chico Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,668 | 28 | 63% | — | $18,750 |
| 7 | Ashford University San Diego Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,459 | 19 | 11% | $26,445 | $43,250 |
| 8 | San Francisco State University San Francisco Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,788 | 36 | 50% | — | $16,875 |
| 9 | University of California - Irvine Irvine Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,102 | 33 | 87% | — | $16,900 |
| 10 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,644 | 38 | 56% | — | $20,000 |
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 California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Journalism programs in California.
Which Journalism program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo tops the list at $48,637. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists earn in California?+
The average annual wage for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in California is $119,420 (median $84,830), across about 4,530 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.
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).
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