📰

Best Journalism Programs 2026

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

8 programs ranked

$34,656 avg salary

8 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	$15,342/yr	71/100	9 yr
3	Journalism	University of Florida	FL	$36,136	$6,351/yr	77/100	5 yr
4	Journalism	The University of Texas at Austin	TX	$33,952	$19,678/yr	48/100	21.8 yr
5	Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other	Ohio State University-Main Campus	OH	$33,775	$18,292/yr	51/100	21.3 yr
6	Journalism	Wayne State University	MI	$32,704	$14,773/yr	50/100	24.7 yr
7	Journalism	University of Georgia	GA	$32,164	$13,816/yr	54/100	28.7 yr
8	Journalism	Ohio State University-Main Campus	OH	$28,920	$18,292/yr	42/100	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

71/100Public

Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN

$37,589 median salary$15,342/yr net cost9 yr break-even+25% vs. HS diploma

Journalism

77/100Public

University of Florida · Gainesville, FL

$36,136 median salary$6,351/yr net cost5 yr break-even+20% vs. HS diploma

Journalism

48/100Public

The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX

$33,952 median salary$19,678/yr net cost21.8 yr break-even+13% vs. HS diploma

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other

51/100Public

Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH

$33,775 median salary$18,292/yr net cost21.3 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

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

42/100Public

Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH

$28,920 median salary$18,292/yr net cost+-4% vs. HS diploma

📝 Related Articles About Journalism

Journalism Degree in 2026: Dead or Evolving?

Is a journalism degree worth it in 2026? How traditional journalism careers are evolving into content strategy, tech writing, communications, and media entrepreneurship.

Compare Schools Side by Side

See how different journalism programs stack up on cost, salary, and graduation rates.

Compare Schools Overall Rankings

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.