Best colleges for Journalism in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
Appalachian State University, Elon University and High Point University award the most Journalism degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 33, 23 and 10 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 North Carolina colleges offer Journalism and award 81 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 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elon University Elon Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,105 | 23 | 84% | $33,688 | $19,875 |
| 2 | Appalachian State University Boone Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,116 | 33 | 75% | — | $21,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Journalism degrees in North Carolina
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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appalachian State University Boone Public | 33 | $27,116 |
| 2 | Elon University Elon Private not-for-profit | 23 | $34,105 |
| 3 | High Point University High Point Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 4 | Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 5 | Wingate University Wingate Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 6 | Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 7 | Campbell University Buies Creek Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 North Carolina colleges offering Journalism
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bennett College | Greensboro | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
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 North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Journalism programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Journalism degrees?+
Appalachian State University (33 graduates a year), Elon University (23 graduates a year) and High Point University (10 graduates a year) award the most Journalism degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 North Carolina colleges offer Journalism.
Which Journalism program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Elon University tops the list at $34,105. 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 North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in North Carolina is $65,010 (median $58,670), across about 930 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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