Journalism programs

CIP 0904 · Communication & Journalism · ranked by median earnings four years after completion

191 institutions report graduate earnings for Journalism programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $55,641 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40× and 82% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 9 of the 209 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.

National ranking

#	Institution	Earn 4yr	% > threshold	Median debt	Debt/earn	Earnings premium	2 of 3 yrs
1	Georgetown UniversityDC · Master's	$90,356 n=20	86% 1yr	—	—	Above +5%	—
2	George Washington UniversityDC · Master's	$89,072 n=16	—	—	—	Above +3%	—
3	University of IowaIA · Master's	$84,165 n=31	89% 1yr	$22,010	0.26×	Above +42%	—
4	Kent State University at KentOH · Master's	$83,464 n=51	83% 5yr	$27,036	0.32×	Above +33%	Below 1/2
5	Boston UniversityMA · Master's	$82,549 n=28	90% 5yr	$37,635	0.46×	Above +9%	Below 1/2
6	St Bonaventure UniversityNY · Master's	$82,191 n=35	96% 5yr	$27,582	0.34×	Above +16%	Below 1/2
7	Lehigh UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$81,935 n=23	—	$19,500	0.24×	Above +117%	—
8	George Washington UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$81,927 n=47	91% 5yr	$25,000	0.30×	Above +127%	Clears 2/2
9	Northwestern UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$80,258 n=132	91% 5yr	$14,834	0.18×	Above +113%	Clears 2/2
10	University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Bachelor's	$79,776 n=57	82% 5yr	$15,000	0.19×	Above +108%	Clears 2/2
11	Chapman UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$79,135 n=28	84% 5yr	$22,290	0.28×	Above +106%	Clears 2/2
12	Columbia University in the City of New YorkNY · Master's	$78,880 n=204	91%	$69,000	0.88×	Above +11%	Below 1/2
13	University of Missouri-ColumbiaMO · Master's	$77,057 n=76	86% 5yr	$20,877	0.27×	Above +33%	Clears 2/2
14	University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Master's	$76,630 n=57	86% 5yr	$48,232	0.63×	Above +2%	Below 1/2
15	University of Wisconsin-MadisonWI · Bachelor's	$75,967 n=143	92%	$21,500	0.28×	Above +95%	Clears 2/2
16	Northeastern UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$74,709 n=37	89% 5yr	$24,005	0.32×	Above +72%	Clears 2/2
17	Hofstra UniversityNY · Master's	$74,266 n=16	—	$50,755	0.68×	Above +5%	Below 1/2
18	University of Nebraska-LincolnNE · Master's	$73,130 n=22	93% 1yr	—	—	Above +26%	—
19	Fordham UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$72,475 n=28	59% 1yr	$26,324	0.36×	Above +91%	—
20	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Master's	$72,390 n=37	89% 5yr	$35,778	0.49×	Above +18%	Below 1/2
21	University of MiamiFL · Bachelor's	$71,466 n=23	68% 5yr	$15,500	0.22×	Above +112%	Clears 2/2
22	University of GeorgiaGA · Master's	$70,926 n=32	83% 5yr	$22,394	0.32×	Above +12%	Below 1/2
23	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCA · Bachelor's	$70,829 n=64	83% 5yr	$19,500	0.28×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
24	Northwestern UniversityIL · Master's	$70,715 n=132	90% 5yr	$64,766	0.92×	Above +3%	Below 1/2
25	Syracuse UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$70,404 n=183	92% 5yr	$27,000	0.38×	Above +85%	Clears 2/2
26	Elon UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$69,964 n=35	77% 5yr	$18,000	0.26×	Above +104%	Clears 2/2
27	University of South FloridaFL · Master's	$69,612 n=23	90% 1yr	$36,404	0.52×	Above +25%	—
28	University of Missouri-ColumbiaMO · Bachelor's	$69,016 n=528	49%	$21,000	0.30×	Above +93%	Clears 2/2
29	University of Maryland-College ParkMD · Bachelor's	$68,128 n=120	92%	$21,500	0.32×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
30	American UniversityDC · Master's	$67,819 n=37	90% 1yr	$55,989	0.83×	Below -21%	—
31	Creighton UniversityNE · Bachelor's	$67,808 n=28	86% 5yr	$27,000	0.40×	Above +82%	Clears 2/2
32	University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Bachelor's	$67,539 n=63	100%	$21,000	0.31×	Above +79%	Clears 2/2
33	The College of New JerseyNJ · Bachelor's	$67,038 n=19	—	$27,000	0.40×	Above +68%	—
34	University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMN · Bachelor's	$66,799 n=356	74%	$19,500	0.29×	Above +67%	Clears 2/2
35	American UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$66,635 n=76	85% 5yr	$24,976	0.38×	Above +85%	Clears 2/2
36	University of ArkansasAR · Bachelor's	$66,087 n=124	94%	$21,500	0.33×	Above +94%	Clears 2/2
37	Boston UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$65,617 n=120	96% 5yr	$24,500	0.37×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
38	Stony Brook UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$65,535 n=41	97% 5yr	$23,375	0.36×	Above +72%	Clears 2/2
39	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's	$64,224 n=257	95%	$18,340	0.29×	Above +75%	Clears 2/2
40	Baylor UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$63,622 n=78	100%	$23,525	0.37×	Above +78%	Clears 2/2
41	Maine College of Art & DesignME · Grad cert	$63,479 n=26	—	$17,470	0.28×	Above +19%	—
42	California State University-ChicoCA · Bachelor's	$63,358 n=76	58%	$18,618	0.29×	Above +65%	Clears 2/2
43	Emerson CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$63,337 n=105	91%	$23,610	0.37×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
44	Marquette UniversityWI · Bachelor's	$63,322 n=29	94% 5yr	$25,155	0.40×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
45	Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · UG cert	$63,138 n=27	77% 1yr	$20,500	0.33×	Above +68%	—
46	Pennsylvania State University-World CampusPA · UG cert	$63,138 n=27	77% 1yr	$20,500	0.33×	Above +68%	—
47	Drake UniversityIA · Bachelor's	$62,969 n=39	97% 5yr	$25,000	0.40×	Above +63%	Clears 2/2
48	Gonzaga UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$62,743 n=22	82% 5yr	$27,000	0.43×	Above +47%	Below 1/2
49	Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Bachelor's	$62,670 n=258	36%	$23,000	0.37×	Above +57%	Clears 2/2
50	Rutgers University-NewarkNJ · Bachelor's	$62,670 n=258	36%	$23,000	0.37×	Above +57%	Clears 2/2
51	Syracuse UniversityNY · Master's	$62,512 n=82	81% 1yr	$56,444	0.90×	Below -12%	—
52	University of KansasKS · Bachelor's	$62,394 n=188	50%	$22,000	0.35×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
53	Long Island UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$62,355 n=16	—	—	—	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
54	Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Bachelor's	$62,336 n=211	54%	$24,367	0.39×	Above +65%	Clears 2/2
55	Pennsylvania State University-World CampusPA · Bachelor's	$62,336 n=211	54%	$24,367	0.39×	Above +65%	Clears 2/2
56	Quinnipiac UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$61,819 n=43	86% 5yr	$23,750	0.38×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
57	DePaul UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$61,708 n=51	96%	$21,666	0.35×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
58	Hampton UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$61,675 n=119	54%	$26,000	0.42×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
59	Hofstra UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$61,609 n=66	85% 5yr	$23,375	0.38×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
60	Ithaca CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$61,317 n=54	91% 5yr	$25,000	0.41×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
61	The University of Texas at AustinTX · Bachelor's	$61,145 n=116	100%	$17,250	0.28×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
62	Miami University-OxfordOH · Bachelor's	$60,974 n=35	85% 5yr	$27,000	0.44×	Above +66%	Clears 2/2
63	University of Central FloridaFL · Bachelor's	$60,887 n=32	69% 1yr	$18,810	0.31×	Above +80%	—
64	University of GeorgiaGA · Bachelor's	$60,729 n=105	100%	$19,500	0.32×	Above +72%	Clears 2/2
65	CUNY Brooklyn CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$60,272 n=36	86% 5yr	$13,550	0.23×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
66	Biola UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$59,925 n=32	64% 5yr	$27,000	0.45×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
67	University of ConnecticutCT · Bachelor's	$59,604 n=58	93% 5yr	$21,500	0.36×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
68	University of Connecticut-Avery PointCT · Bachelor's	$59,604 n=58	93% 5yr	$21,500	0.36×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
69	University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusCT · Bachelor's	$59,604 n=58	93% 5yr	$21,500	0.36×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
70	University of Connecticut-StamfordCT · Bachelor's	$59,604 n=58	93% 5yr	$21,500	0.36×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
71	University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusCT · Bachelor's	$59,604 n=58	93% 5yr	$21,500	0.36×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
72	Michigan State UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$59,498 n=158	52%	$23,547	0.40×	Above +70%	Clears 2/2
73	University at AlbanyNY · Bachelor's	$59,495 n=73	79% 5yr	$22,467	0.38×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
74	Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusOH · Bachelor's	$59,276 n=300	76%	$24,000	0.41×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
75	Ohio University-Eastern CampusOH · Bachelor's	$59,276 n=300	76%	$24,000	0.41×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
76	Ohio University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's	$59,276 n=300	76%	$24,000	0.41×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
77	Ohio University-Zanesville CampusOH · Bachelor's	$59,276 n=300	76%	$24,000	0.41×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
78	Indiana University-BloomingtonIN · Bachelor's	$59,151 n=171	100%	$18,762	0.32×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
79	St. John's University-New YorkNY · Bachelor's	$59,067 n=49	68% 5yr	$25,125	0.42×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
80	California Baptist UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$58,821 n=18	—	$26,000	0.44×	Above +53%	Below 1/2
81	St Bonaventure UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$58,816 n=28	87% 5yr	$27,000	0.46×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
82	Pepperdine UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$58,801 n=20	—	—	—	Above +53%	Clears 2/2
83	Washington State UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$58,795 n=52	62% 1yr	$20,625	0.35×	Above +38%	—
84	Texas Christian UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$58,738 n=24	81% 5yr	$23,100	0.39×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
85	West Virginia UniversityWV · Bachelor's	$58,454 n=311	63%	$24,188	0.41×	Above +66%	Clears 2/2
86	University of FloridaFL · Bachelor's	$58,150 n=101	100%	$16,454	0.28×	Above +72%	Clears 2/2
87	University of Florida-OnlineFL · Bachelor's	$58,150 n=101	100%	$16,454	0.28×	Above +72%	—
88	Texas State UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$57,963 n=43	80% 5yr	$16,869	0.29×	Above +62%	Below 1/2
89	Northern Arizona UniversityAZ · Bachelor's	$57,868 n=31	77% 5yr	$18,062	0.31×	Above +57%	Clears 2/2
90	Georgia College & State UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$57,843 n=108	85% 5yr	$23,250	0.40×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
91	Western Washington UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$57,697 n=68	85% 5yr	$18,151	0.32×	Above +35%	Clears 2/2
92	University of Northern ColoradoCO · Bachelor's	$57,603 n=42	96% 5yr	$22,250	0.39×	Above +38%	Clears 2/2
93	University of California-IrvineCA · Bachelor's	$57,492 n=39	56% 1yr	$17,200	0.30×	Above +50%	Clears 2/2
94	University of North TexasTX · Bachelor's	$57,461 n=340	66%	$19,500	0.34×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
95	Loyola University ChicagoIL · Bachelor's	$57,407 n=27	96% 5yr	$21,125	0.37×	Above +52%	Clears 2/2
96	University of Alaska AnchorageAK · Bachelor's	$57,321 n=27	—	$17,750	0.31×	Above +39%	—
97	San Francisco State UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$57,260 n=78	85% 5yr	$15,000	0.26×	Above +49%	Clears 2/2
98	Suffolk UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$57,220 n=28	60% 1yr	$20,543	0.36×	Above +32%	—
99	University of Colorado BoulderCO · Bachelor's	$57,079 n=42	100%	$15,250	0.27×	Above +37%	Clears 2/2
100	Central Connecticut State UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$56,990 n=19	—	$26,534	0.47×	Above +35%	—
101	University of IowaIA · Bachelor's	$56,933 n=176	73%	$23,957	0.42×	Above +48%	Clears 2/2
102	Kansas State UniversityKS · Bachelor's	$56,418 n=123	91% 5yr	$21,000	0.37×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
103	University of MississippiMS · Bachelor's	$56,381 n=22	94% 5yr	$23,725	0.42×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
104	University of ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's	$55,676 n=98	89% 5yr	$20,500	0.37×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
105	Illinois State UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$55,641 n=42	86% 5yr	$20,750	0.37×	Above +48%	Clears 2/2
106	University of OregonOR · Bachelor's	$55,615 n=152	72%	$23,336	0.42×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
107	California State University-Long BeachCA · Bachelor's	$55,192 n=182	57%	$15,000	0.27×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
108	The University of AlabamaAL · Bachelor's	$55,043 n=70	87% 5yr	$23,375	0.42×	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
109	Georgia State UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$54,732 n=367	58%	$23,500	0.43×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
110	University of MaineME · Bachelor's	$54,717 n=17	—	$27,000	0.49×	Above +50%	—
111	CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$54,425 n=54	74% 5yr	$15,045	0.28×	Above +43%	Clears 2/2
112	Georgia Southern UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$54,396 n=45	77% 5yr	$20,500	0.38×	Above +54%	Clears 2/2
113	Kennesaw State UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$54,360 n=48	54% 1yr	$21,506	0.40×	Above +54%	—
114	University of Nevada-RenoNV · Bachelor's	$54,322 n=159	62%	$19,500	0.36×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
115	Wayne State UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$54,188 n=43	77% 5yr	$27,725	0.51×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
116	Duquesne UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$54,081 n=25	89% 5yr	$26,500	0.49×	Above +43%	Clears 2/2
117	Eastern Illinois UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$54,038 n=22	—	$25,925	0.48×	Above +43%	—
118	University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOK · Bachelor's	$54,031 n=160	93% 5yr	$23,000	0.43×	Above +53%	Clears 2/2
119	San Diego State UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$53,997 n=28	53% 1yr	$14,998	0.28×	Above +40%	—
120	CUNY York CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$53,901 n=22	—	—	—	Above +42%	Clears 2/2
121	Widener UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$53,724 n=18	—	—	—	Above +43%	—
122	Iowa State UniversityIA · Bachelor's	$53,633 n=104	88% 5yr	$23,250	0.43×	Above +39%	Clears 2/2
123	University of Nebraska-LincolnNE · Bachelor's	$53,618 n=114	69%	$20,990	0.39×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
124	Montclair State UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$53,579 n=22	—	$19,500	0.36×	Above +34%	—
125	Colorado State University-Fort CollinsCO · Bachelor's	$53,528 n=127	79%	$21,000	0.39×	Above +29%	Clears 2/2
126	Temple UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$53,518 n=155	99%	$24,000	0.45×	Above +42%	Clears 2/2
127	California State University-NorthridgeCA · Bachelor's	$53,351 n=197	88%	$14,311	0.27×	Above +39%	Clears 2/2
128	University of South Carolina-ColumbiaSC · Bachelor's	$53,294 n=99	90% 5yr	$21,750	0.41×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
129	Full Sail UniversityFL · Master's	$53,227 n=60	80%	$35,477	0.67×	Below -4%	Below 2/2
130	Texas Tech UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$53,206 n=39	—	$22,000	0.41×	Above +49%	Clears 2/2
131	University of HoustonTX · Bachelor's	$53,195 n=85	62%	$18,750	0.35×	Above +49%	Clears 2/2
132	Mercer UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$53,182 n=18	—	$26,000	0.49×	Above +51%	—
133	California State University-SacramentoCA · Bachelor's	$53,145 n=32	88% 5yr	$20,000	0.38×	Above +38%	Clears 2/2
134	SUNY at Purchase CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$52,859 n=35	69% 5yr	$21,500	0.41×	Above +39%	Clears 2/2
135	University of KentuckyKY · Bachelor's	$52,785 n=49	88% 5yr	$25,000	0.47×	Above +52%	Clears 2/2
136	University of New Mexico-Main CampusNM · Bachelor's	$52,760 n=60	78% 5yr	$14,000	0.27×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
137	The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTN · Bachelor's	$52,663 n=142	58%	$20,157	0.38×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
138	Oklahoma State University-Main CampusOK · Bachelor's	$52,292 n=21	—	$21,157	0.41×	Above +48%	—
139	University of Rhode IslandRI · Bachelor's	$52,115 n=43	71% 5yr	$26,949	0.52×	Above +24%	Below 1/2
140	University of Massachusetts-AmherstMA · Bachelor's	$52,011 n=40	100%	$21,500	0.41×	Above +20%	Clears 2/2
141	Liberty UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$51,940 n=23	81% 1yr	—	—	Above +37%	—
142	University of Nebraska at KearneyNE · Bachelor's	$51,659 n=28	63% 1yr	$22,602	0.44×	Above +39%	Below 1/2
143	Columbia College ChicagoIL · Bachelor's	$51,639 n=87	84%	$24,525	0.47×	Above +37%	Clears 2/2
144	DePaul UniversityIL · Master's	$51,338 n=27	86% 5yr	$44,065	0.86×	Below -25%	Below 2/2
145	Ohio State University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's	$51,280 n=57	93% 5yr	$20,500	0.40×	Above +39%	Clears 2/2
146	University of Central OklahomaOK · Bachelor's	$51,042 n=67	61%	$23,500	0.46×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
147	University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWI · Bachelor's	$50,970 n=66	89% 5yr	$21,500	0.42×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
148	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityFL · Bachelor's	$50,832 n=64	56%	$26,125	0.51×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
149	State University of New York at OswegoNY · Bachelor's	$50,813 n=36	83% 5yr	$25,958	0.51×	Above +34%	Clears 2/2
150	Southern Connecticut State UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$50,760 n=17	—	$20,101	0.40×	Above +20%	—
151	Morgan State UniversityMD · Bachelor's	$50,700 n=77	65%	$28,750	0.57×	Above +21%	Below 1/2
152	Northern Illinois UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$50,658 n=38	76% 5yr	$22,625	0.45×	Above +34%	Clears 2/2
153	Samford UniversityAL · Bachelor's	$50,652 n=36	87% 5yr	$18,120	0.36×	Above +47%	Clears 2/2
154	Brigham Young UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$50,338 n=44	52%	$14,959	0.30×	Above +26%	Clears 2/2
155	SUNY BrockportNY · Bachelor's	$50,073 n=84	73%	$19,699	0.39×	Above +32%	Clears 2/2
156	Middle Tennessee State UniversityTN · Bachelor's	$49,932 n=97	51% 1yr	$19,462	0.39×	Above +43%	—
157	Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIL · Bachelor's	$49,880 n=38	100%	$21,269	0.43×	Above +32%	Clears 2/2
158	Kent State University at KentOH · Bachelor's	$49,842 n=102	60%	$25,000	0.50×	Above +35%	Clears 2/2
159	Regent UniversityVA · Master's	$49,772 n=16	—	$45,050	0.91×	Below -30%	—
160	Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main CampusPA · Bachelor's	$49,625 n=44	82% 5yr	$21,582	0.43×	Above +32%	Clears 2/2
161	Ball State UniversityIN · Bachelor's	$49,456 n=121	100%	$24,418	0.49×	Above +32%	Clears 2/2
162	University of MemphisTN · Bachelor's	$49,445 n=71	78%	$25,000	0.51×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
163	University of Illinois SpringfieldIL · Master's	$49,368 n=16	—	—	—	Below -28%	—
164	CUNY Lehman CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$49,025 n=28	82% 5yr	$12,522	0.26×	Above +29%	Clears 2/2
165	University of Wisconsin-OshkoshWI · Bachelor's	$48,935 n=22	—	$24,997	0.51×	Above +26%	—
166	Bowling Green State University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's	$48,803 n=31	74% 5yr	$27,000	0.55×	Above +33%	Clears 2/2
167	University of Cincinnati-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's	$48,331 n=35	57% 1yr	$25,000	0.52×	Above +31%	—
168	Emerson CollegeMA · Master's	$48,294 n=16	95% 5yr	$58,500	1.21×	Below -36%	Below 2/2
169	Appalachian State UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$48,243 n=46	74% 5yr	$20,222	0.42×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
170	University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireWI · Bachelor's	$48,173 n=17	—	$25,000	0.52×	Above +24%	Clears 2/2
171	Indiana University-IndianapolisIN · Bachelor's	$48,113 n=75	59%	$21,500	0.45×	Above +28%	Clears 2/2
172	Rowan UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$48,057 n=42	77% 5yr	$20,500	0.43×	Above +20%	Clears 2/2
173	The University of Texas at ArlingtonTX · Bachelor's	$48,042 n=32	—	$20,000	0.42×	Above +34%	Clears 2/2
174	University of West GeorgiaGA · Bachelor's	$47,891 n=160	50%	$25,250	0.53×	Above +36%	Clears 2/2
175	Central Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$47,775 n=49	65%	$27,000	0.56×	Above +36%	Below 1/2
176	Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's	$47,760 n=103	57%	$25,000	0.52×	Above +27%	Clears 2/2
177	Western Kentucky UniversityKY · Bachelor's	$47,661 n=80	65%	$23,250	0.49×	Above +37%	Clears 2/2
178	Metropolitan State University of DenverCO · Bachelor's	$47,460 n=57	65%	$20,638	0.43×	Above +14%	Clears 2/2
179	University of ScrantonPA · Bachelor's	$47,302 n=23	—	$25,000	0.53×	Above +26%	—
180	Flagler CollegeFL · Bachelor's	$46,971 n=38	43% 1yr	$24,673	0.53×	Above +39%	—
181	Oakland UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$46,680 n=47	77% 5yr	$25,212	0.54×	Above +33%	Clears 2/2
182	Northeastern State UniversityOK · Bachelor's	$46,506 n=20	—	$14,750	0.32×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
183	North Greenville UniversitySC · Bachelor's	$46,502 n=28	70% 5yr	$21,300	0.46×	Above +35%	Below 1/2
184	The University of MontanaMT · Bachelor's	$46,267 n=38	97%	$25,260	0.55×	Above +34%	Clears 2/2
185	Point Park UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$45,859 n=20	77% 5yr	$26,374	0.57×	Above +22%	Below 1/2
186	New Mexico State University-Main CampusNM · Bachelor's	$45,765 n=58	66%	$17,020	0.37×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
187	Radford UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$45,369 n=82	57%	$26,000	0.57×	Above +19%	Clears 2/2
188	University of IdahoID · Bachelor's	$45,288 n=18	—	—	—	Above +27%	—
189	Pennsylvania Western UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$45,264 n=48	—	—	—	Above +20%	—
190	Eastern Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$45,245 n=19	—	$30,721	0.68×	Above +29%	Clears 2/2
191	Texas Southern UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$45,152 n=26	76% 5yr	$31,000	0.69×	Above +26%	—
192	Northern Kentucky UniversityKY · Bachelor's	$44,834 n=82	70%	$25,417	0.57×	Above +29%	Clears 2/2
193	Auburn UniversityAL · Bachelor's	$44,704 n=49	90% 5yr	$19,213	0.43×	Above +30%	Clears 2/2
194	Ashford UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$44,589 n=59	100%	$36,807	0.82×	Above +16%	Below 1/2
195	Marshall UniversityWV · Bachelor's	$44,277 n=38	87% 5yr	$25,136	0.57×	Above +26%	Clears 2/2
196	University of Central ArkansasAR · Bachelor's	$43,189 n=24	64% 1yr	$21,562	0.50×	Above +27%	Clears 2/2
197	University of Minnesota-DuluthMN · Bachelor's	$42,478 n=21	—	$22,750	0.54×	Above +6%	—
198	Kentucky State UniversityKY · Bachelor's	$42,363 n=17	—	$32,099	0.76×	Above +22%	Below 1/2
199	Rust CollegeMS · Bachelor's	$41,398 n=30	71% 5yr	$25,038	0.60×	Above +26%	Below 1/2
200	University of Southern MississippiMS · Bachelor's	$41,293 n=58	85% 5yr	$25,125	0.61×	Above +25%	Clears 2/2
201	Louisiana Tech UniversityLA · Bachelor's	$41,220 n=29	—	$22,500	0.55×	Above +18%	—
202	University of Arkansas at Pine BluffAR · Bachelor's	$40,515 n=25	—	$27,807	0.69×	Above +19%	—
203	State University of New York at PlattsburghNY · Bachelor's	$40,034 n=18	77% 5yr	$21,750	0.54×	Above +5%	Below 1/2
204	Savannah State UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$39,677 n=100	43%	$31,090	0.78×	Above +12%	Clears 2/2
205	California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtCA · Bachelor's	$39,178 n=26	85%	$20,000	0.51×	Above +2%	Below 1/2
206	University of WyomingWY · Bachelor's	$38,934 n=16	—	—	—	Below -4%	Below 1/2
207	Central State UniversityOH · Bachelor's	$36,311 n=23	78%	$31,000	0.85×	Below -1%	Below 2/2
208	University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasPR · Bachelor's	$32,524 n=36	—	$5,500	0.17×	Above +98%	Clears 2/2
209	Universidad del Sagrado CorazonPR · Bachelor's	$29,511 n=35	57%	$10,750	0.36×	Above +79%	Clears 2/2

% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.

By state — median earnings, 4 yrs out

State	Median earn 4yr	Programs
District of Columbia	$81,927	5
Massachusetts	$63,337	7
New Jersey	$62,670	5
Arizona	$61,046	4
Nebraska	$60,713	4
New York	$60,272	21
Iowa	$59,951	4
Connecticut	$59,604	8
Ohio	$59,276	11
Washington	$58,795	3
Florida	$58,150	8
California	$58,146	16
Texas	$57,461	9
Colorado	$55,304	4
Illinois	$54,840	12
Georgia	$54,396	9
Pennsylvania	$53,724	13
Oklahoma	$51,667	4
Wisconsin	$50,970	5
Virginia	$50,856	4
Alabama	$50,652	3
Tennessee	$49,932	3
Indiana	$49,456	3
Michigan	$47,775	5
Kentucky	$46,248	4

States with at least 3 reporting Journalism programs, by median graduate earnings.

Frequently asked

Which colleges have the highest-paying Journalism programs?

By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Journalism programs in this dataset are Georgetown University ($90,356), George Washington University ($89,072), University of Iowa ($84,165). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.

Are Journalism programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?

Indicatively, 9 of the 209 Journalism programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.

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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.