Best colleges for Journalism in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Lehigh University, Pennsylvania State University and Temple University are the top bachelor's Journalism programs in Pennsylvania by graduate earnings. Lehigh University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,256, College Scorecard. Pennsylvania State University, Temple University and Lehigh University award the most Journalism degrees in Pennsylvania: 221, 67 and 24 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Pennsylvania colleges offer Journalism and award 355 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 6 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 | Lehigh University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,256 | 24 | 88% | $26,912 | $19,500 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,468 | 221 | 86% | — | $25,000 |
| 3 | Temple University Philadelphia Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,959 | 67 | 75% | — | $26,000 |
| 4 | Point Park University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $34,887 | 9 | 59% | $23,704 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania Western University California Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $27,620 | 4 | 52% | — | — |
| 6 | Widener University Chester Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $22,058 | 4 | 68% | $29,049 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Journalism degrees in Pennsylvania
Top 10 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 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public | 221 | $36,468 |
| 2 | Temple University Philadelphia Public | 67 | $30,959 |
| 3 | Lehigh University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit | 24 | $45,256 |
| 4 | Point Park University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit | 9 | $34,887 |
| 5 | University of Scranton Scranton Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 6 | Gannon University Erie Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 7 | Susquehanna University Selinsgrove Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 8 | Widener University Chester Private not-for-profit | 4 | $22,058 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania Western University California Public | 4 | $27,620 |
| 10 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 Pennsylvania colleges offering Journalism
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown College | Elizabethtown | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Pennsylvania State University - World Campus (Online) | University Park | Public | 2 |
| Bucks County Community College | Newtown | Public | 1 |
| Delaware County Community College | Media | Public | 1 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | Johnstown | Public | 1 |
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 Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Journalism programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Journalism degrees?+
Pennsylvania State University (221 graduates a year), Temple University (67 graduates a year) and Lehigh University (24 graduates a year) award the most Journalism degrees in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Pennsylvania colleges offer Journalism.
What is the best college for Journalism in Pennsylvania?+
By graduate earnings, Lehigh University leads among bachelor's Journalism programs in Pennsylvania, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,256, College Scorecard. Pennsylvania State University and Temple University follow. By degrees awarded, Pennsylvania State University is the largest, with 221 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Journalism program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Lehigh University tops the list at $45,256. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
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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