Missouri · Journalism

Best colleges for Journalism in Missouri

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri State University - Springfield and College of the Ozarks award the most Journalism degrees and certificates in Missouri: 450, 16 and 5 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 Missouri colleges offer Journalism and award 485 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
8
offering CIP 09.04
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
485
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$26,356
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,482
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
57%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
$56,580
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, 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
1University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,95845075%—$21,400
2Lincoln University
Jefferson City Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$26,356421%—$34,532

Colleges awarding the most Journalism degrees in Missouri

Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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)
1University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia Public
450$43,958
2Missouri State University - Springfield
Springfield Public
16Not reported
3College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
4Webster University
Saint Louis Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
5Drury University
Springfield Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
6Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
7Evangel University
Springfield Private not-for-profit
1Not reported
Show the other 1 Missouri colleges offering Journalism
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Lincoln UniversityJefferson CityPublic4

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 Missouri

Jobs in Missouri
480
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$56,580
median $46,920
Best-paying metro
$65,890
Kansas City, MO-KS

Related careers

Photographers
$47,380 avg · 950 jobs
Editors
$68,130 avg · 880 jobs
Writers and Authors
$66,070 avg · 600 jobs
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
$56,580 avg · 480 jobs
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
$77,590 avg · 480 jobs
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys
$60,900 avg · 470 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Journalism programs in Missouri.

Which Missouri colleges award the most Journalism degrees?+

University of Missouri-Columbia (450 graduates a year), Missouri State University - Springfield (16 graduates a year) and College of the Ozarks (5 graduates a year) award the most Journalism degrees and certificates in Missouri, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 Missouri colleges offer Journalism.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Missouri-Columbia tops the list at $43,958. 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 Missouri?+

The average annual wage for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Missouri is $56,580 (median $46,920), across about 480 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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