Colorado · Journalism

Best colleges for Journalism in Colorado

Ranked by graduate earnings

Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado State University - Fort Collins and University of Colorado Boulder are the top bachelor's Journalism programs in Colorado by graduate earnings. Metropolitan State University of Denver leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,644, College Scorecard. Colorado State University - Fort Collins, University of Colorado Boulder and Metropolitan State University of Denver award the most Journalism degrees in Colorado: 150, 70 and 31 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 Colorado colleges offer Journalism and award 291 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…

Institutions
10
offering CIP 09.04
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
291
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$34,022
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$29,726
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
44%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
$68,760
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 4 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,6443132%—$24,500
2Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Fort Collins Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,35215067%—$22,500
3University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,0227074%—$15,750
4University of Northern Colorado
Greeley Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$30,216751%—$21,750

Colleges awarding the most Journalism degrees in Colorado

Top 7 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Fort Collins Public
150$36,352
2University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder Public
70$34,022
3Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver Public
31$37,644
4University of Denver
Denver Private not-for-profit
18Not reported
5Aims Community College
Greeley Public
8Not reported
6University of Northern Colorado
Greeley Public
7$30,216
7Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood Public
2Not reported
Show the other 3 Colorado colleges offering Journalism
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Pikes Peak State CollegeColorado SpringsPublic3
Arapahoe Community CollegeLittletonPublic1
Community College of DenverDenverPublic1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists (SOC 27-3023).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-3.9%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~4,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$60,280
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

SpeakingWritingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingActive Learning

What News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists earn in Colorado

Jobs in Colorado
590
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$68,760
median $60,770
Best-paying metro
$76,260
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Related careers

Editors
$79,150 avg · 1,830 jobs
Writers and Authors
$81,030 avg · 1,300 jobs
Photographers
$58,170 avg · 1,140 jobs
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
$68,760 avg · 590 jobs
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
$77,030 avg · 560 jobs
Film and Video Editors
$88,300 avg · 380 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Journalism programs in Colorado.

Which Colorado colleges award the most Journalism degrees?+

Colorado State University - Fort Collins (150 graduates a year), University of Colorado Boulder (70 graduates a year) and Metropolitan State University of Denver (31 graduates a year) award the most Journalism degrees in Colorado, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 Colorado colleges offer Journalism.

What is the best college for Journalism in Colorado?+

By graduate earnings, Metropolitan State University of Denver leads among bachelor's Journalism programs in Colorado, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,644, College Scorecard. Colorado State University - Fort Collins and University of Colorado Boulder follow. By degrees awarded, Colorado State University - Fort Collins is the largest, with 150 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Journalism program in Colorado has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Metropolitan State University of Denver tops the list at $37,644. 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 Colorado?+

The average annual wage for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Colorado is $68,760 (median $60,770), across about 590 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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