Best colleges for Journalism in Kentucky
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University are the top bachelor's Journalism programs in Kentucky by graduate earnings. University of Kentucky leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,926, College Scorecard. Western Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University and University of Kentucky award the most Journalism degrees in Kentucky: 46, 43 and 34 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 Kentucky colleges offer Journalism and award 144 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 | University of Kentucky Lexington Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,926 | 34 | 71% | — | $26,000 |
| 2 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,050 | 46 | 56% | — | $25,500 |
| 3 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,647 | 43 | 52% | — | $26,122 |
Colleges awarding the most Journalism degrees in Kentucky
Top 5 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 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green Public | 46 | $35,050 |
| 2 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights Public | 43 | $29,647 |
| 3 | University of Kentucky Lexington Public | 34 | $36,926 |
| 4 | Kentucky State University Frankfort Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 5 | Murray State University Murray Public | 7 | 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 Kentucky
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Journalism programs in Kentucky.
Which Kentucky colleges award the most Journalism degrees?+
Western Kentucky University (46 graduates a year), Northern Kentucky University (43 graduates a year) and University of Kentucky (34 graduates a year) award the most Journalism degrees in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 Kentucky colleges offer Journalism.
What is the best college for Journalism in Kentucky?+
By graduate earnings, University of Kentucky leads among bachelor's Journalism programs in Kentucky, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,926, College Scorecard. Western Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University follow. By degrees awarded, Western Kentucky University is the largest, with 46 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Journalism program in Kentucky has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Kentucky tops the list at $36,926. 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 Kentucky?+
The average annual wage for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Kentucky is $62,340 (median $47,530), across about 370 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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