Best colleges for Journalism
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Journalism by graduate earnings are George Washington University ($52,015), Northeastern University ($51,855) and California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($48,637), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- George Washington University (Washington, DC): $52,015, 45 graduates a year
- Northeastern University (Boston, MA): $51,855, 38 graduates a year
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $48,637, 82 graduates a year
- University of Maryland-College Park (College Park, MD): $46,893, 118 graduates a year
- Brigham Young University (Provo, UT): $46,652, 71 graduates a year
Compare 414 U.S. colleges offering Journalism by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 52 states.
Journalism programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,453 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 09.04 and the News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Journalism programs
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 considerations that shape the field of journalism today. This program prepares students for a dynamic career in various media formats.
Students in the Journalism program develop essential skills such as speaking, writing, and critical thinking. Coursework covers key areas including communications and media, law and government, and the use of technology in journalism, equipping students with the knowledge needed to navigate the evolving media landscape.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | George Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,015 | 45 | 84% | $29,789 | $25,000 |
| 2 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,855 | 38 | 91% | $18,925 | $24,313 |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,637 | 82 | 86% | — | $19,333 |
| 4 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,893 | 118 | 89% | — | $23,250 |
| 5 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,652 | 71 | 81% | $13,712 | $14,953 |
| 6 | Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,256 | 24 | 88% | $26,912 | $19,500 |
| 7 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,651 | 156 | 92% | $26,873 | $16,250 |
| 8 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,387 | 96 | 75% | $30,225 | $25,000 |
| 9 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,958 | 450 | 75% | — | $21,400 |
| 10 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,191 | 214 | 69% | — | $22,811 |
| 11 | Boston University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,857 | 143 | 89% | $21,956 | $24,813 |
| 12 | Fordham University Bronx, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,769 | 47 | 82% | $38,931 | $26,324 |
| 13 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,605 | 150 | 68% | — | $19,937 |
| 14 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,450 | 65 | 85% | — | $20,500 |
| 15 | Chapman University Orange, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,645 | 36 | 82% | $42,965 | $22,500 |
| 16 | Utah State University Logan, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,431 | 43 | 59% | — | $16,710 |
| 17 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,378 | 24 | 84% | $26,589 | $16,000 |
| 18 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,945 | 64 | 78% | — | $22,644 |
| 19 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,942 | 214 | 90% | — | $23,250 |
| 20 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,757 | 192 | 84% | $28,851 | $27,000 |
| 21 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,502 | 32 | 84% | $33,246 | $19,448 |
| 22 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,184 | 44 | 76% | $36,137 | $24,500 |
| 23 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,992 | 132 | 80% | — | $19,500 |
| 24 | Emerson College Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,703 | 82 | 77% | $40,982 | $24,580 |
| 25 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,347 | 50 | 75% | — | $23,250 |
Specializations within Journalism
6 of the 7 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 09.04 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- JournalismCIP 09.04019,258 graduates / yr356 institutions49 states
- JournalismCIP 09.04991,031 graduates / yr40 institutions27 states
- Broadcast JournalismCIP 09.0402712 graduates / yr49 institutions24 states
- PhotojournalismCIP 09.040466 graduates / yr14 institutions12 states
- Science/CIP 09.0407
Health/ Environmental Journalism New in CIP 2020limited data7 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states - Cultural JournalismCIP 09.0406New in CIP 2020limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 7 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Business and Economic Journalism09.0405
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 52 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3023, News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Journalism program can pursue careers in various specializations, including broadcast journalism, photojournalism, and cultural journalism. However, the job outlook indicates a decline of 3.9%, with approximately 4,100 annual openings. The median wage for journalists is $60,280, and a typical requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Journalism
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 09.04.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 09.04 (Journalism) maps to 8 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1122 | Communications Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-3011 | Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys |
| 27-3023 | News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalistsprimary |
| 27-3041 | Editors |
| 27-3043 | Writers and Authors |
| 27-4021 | Photographers |
| 27-4032 | Film and Video Editors |
| 43-9081 | Proofreaders and Copy Markers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Journalism programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
- Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
- Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
- Analyze and interpret news and information received from various sources to broadcast the information.
- Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
- Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
Common questions
What are the specializations available in the Journalism program?+
Specializations include Broadcast Journalism, Photojournalism, Business and Economic Journalism, Cultural Journalism, and Science/Health/Environmental Journalism.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, writing, critical thinking, and active listening, among others.
What is the job outlook for journalism graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 3.9%, with about 4,100 annual openings.
What is the typical education needed for a career in journalism?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for a career in journalism.
How much do Journalism graduates earn?+
Journalism graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,453, College Scorecard (2019); the News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists occupation pays about $102,460 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Journalism?+
Journalism maps to CIP 09.04 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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