Best colleges for Journalism in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Iowa, Iowa State University and Drake University award the most Journalism degrees in Iowa: 91, 50 and 17 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Iowa colleges offer Journalism and award 166 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 | Iowa State University Ames Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,347 | 50 | 75% | — | $23,250 |
| 2 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,743 | 91 | 75% | — | $25,907 |
| 3 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,913 | 17 | 74% | $28,855 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Journalism degrees in Iowa
Top 6 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 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public | 91 | $34,743 |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames Public | 50 | $39,347 |
| 3 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 17 | $41,913 |
| 4 | Simpson College Indianola Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 5 | Saint Ambrose University Davenport Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 6 | Dordt University Sioux Center Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
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 Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Journalism programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Journalism degrees?+
University of Iowa (91 graduates a year), Iowa State University (50 graduates a year) and Drake University (17 graduates a year) award the most Journalism degrees in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Iowa colleges offer Journalism.
Which Journalism program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Iowa State University tops the list at $39,347. 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 Iowa?+
The average annual wage for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Iowa is $51,320 (median $43,540), 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.
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