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Best Journalism Programs 2026

Best journalism programs ranked by graduate salary. See which schools prepare reporters and media professionals for top-paying careers.

9 programs ranked

$34,415 avg salary

9 public schools

View as table

Rank	Program	School	State	Median Salary	Annual Cost	Value Score	Break-Even
1	Journalism	University of Wisconsin-Madison	WI	$42,011	$16,928/yr	78/100	6.3 yr
2	Journalism	Indiana University-Bloomington	IN	$37,589	$16,264/yr	70/100	9.5 yr
3	Journalism	University of Florida	FL	$36,136	$6,541/yr	77/100	5.2 yr
4	Journalism	The University of Texas at Austin	TX	$33,952	$19,857/yr	47/100	22 yr
5	Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other	Ohio State University-Main Campus	OH	$33,775	$17,339/yr	53/100	20.3 yr
6	Journalism	Wayne State University	MI	$32,704	$14,773/yr	50/100	24.7 yr
7	Journalism	Michigan State University	MI	$32,480	$20,751/yr	42/100	36.9 yr
8	Journalism	University of Georgia	GA	$32,164	$13,816/yr	54/100	28.7 yr
9	Journalism	Ohio State University-Main Campus	OH	$28,920	$17,339/yr	44/100	N/A

Journalism

78/100Public

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI

$42,011 median salary$16,928/yr net cost6.3 yr break-even+40% vs. HS diploma

Journalism

70/100Public

Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN

$37,589 median salary$16,264/yr net cost9.5 yr break-even+25% vs. HS diploma

Journalism

77/100Public

University of Florida · Gainesville, FL

$36,136 median salary$6,541/yr net cost5.2 yr break-even+20% vs. HS diploma

Journalism

47/100Public

The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX

$33,952 median salary$19,857/yr net cost22 yr break-even+13% vs. HS diploma

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other

53/100Public

Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH

$33,775 median salary$17,339/yr net cost20.3 yr break-even+13% vs. HS diploma

Journalism

50/100Public

Wayne State University · Detroit, MI

$32,704 median salary$14,773/yr net cost24.7 yr break-even+9% vs. HS diploma

Journalism

42/100Public

Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI

$32,480 median salary$20,751/yr net cost36.9 yr break-even+8% vs. HS diploma

Journalism

54/100Public

University of Georgia · Athens, GA

$32,164 median salary$13,816/yr net cost28.7 yr break-even+7% vs. HS diploma

Journalism

44/100Public

Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH

$28,920 median salary$17,339/yr net cost+-4% vs. HS diploma

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Rankings are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Programs are ranked by median earnings 1 year after completion. Data reflects bachelor's degree programs only.