Best institutions to study Publishing
Compare 24 U.S. colleges offering Publishing by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 19 states.
Publishing programs report a median of $17,585 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 09.10 and the Editors occupation (BLS SOC).
About Publishing programs
The Publishing program focuses on the essential skills and knowledge required for a successful career in the field of communication, journalism, and related areas. It is designed for students interested in the intricacies of publishing, including editing, content creation, and manuscript evaluation. This program prepares individuals to navigate the dynamic landscape of publishing and media.
Students in the Publishing program will develop core skills such as reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework often includes tasks related to proofreading, fact-checking, and manuscript editing, equipping students with the tools needed to enhance readability and engage audiences effectively.
Top 1 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $17,585 | 11 | 82% | $23,620 | $27,000 |
Offered across 19 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $17,585 | Susquehanna University |
| Californialimited | 1 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 3 | — | — |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3041, Editors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Publishing program can pursue various careers in the publishing industry, with an outlook showing little or no change in job growth. There are approximately 9,800 annual openings, with a median wage of $75,260. A typical requirement for entry-level positions is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Publishing
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 09.10.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 09.10 (Publishing) maps to 1 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupation, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 27-3041 | Editorsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Publishing 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
- Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
- Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
- Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.
- Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
- Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
- Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
Concentrations within Publishing
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- PublishingCIP 09.1001
A program that focuses on the process of managing the creation, publication, and distribution of print and electronic books and other text products and prepares individuals to manage the editorial, te
Common questions
What is the focus of the Publishing program?+
The program focuses on skills and knowledge related to editing, content creation, and manuscript evaluation in the publishing industry.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with around 9,800 annual openings in the publishing field.
What is the typical education requirement for this field?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions in publishing.
How much do Publishing graduates earn?+
Publishing graduates report median earnings of $17,585 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Editors occupation pays about $90,060 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Publishing?+
Publishing maps to CIP 09.10 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card