📰

Best Journalism Programs 2026

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

10 programs ranked

$36,528 avg salary

7 public schools

View as table

Rank	Program	School	State	Median Salary	Annual Cost	Value Score	Break-Even
1	Journalism	University of Southern California	CA	$44,188	$31,927/yr	58/100	9.5 yr
2	Journalism	George Washington University	DC	$42,777	$37,454/yr	46/100	12.3 yr
3	Journalism	Indiana University-Bloomington	IN	$37,589	$15,342/yr	71/100	9 yr
4	Journalism	Boston University	MA	$36,717	$24,402/yr	49/100	15.8 yr
5	Journalism	University of Florida	FL	$36,136	$6,351/yr	77/100	5 yr
6	Journalism	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	IL	$35,459	$15,201/yr	66/100	12.4 yr
7	Journalism	Iowa State University	IA	$34,913	$18,165/yr	56/100	16.5 yr
8	Journalism	University of Arizona	AZ	$33,571	$15,960/yr	52/100	19.9 yr
9	Journalism	University of Georgia	GA	$32,164	$13,816/yr	54/100	28.7 yr
10	Journalism	The University of Alabama	AL	$31,764	$22,150/yr	37/100	54.9 yr

Journalism

58/100

University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA

$44,188 median salary$31,927/yr net cost9.5 yr break-even+47% vs. HS diploma

Journalism

46/100

George Washington University · Washington, DC

$42,777 median salary$37,454/yr net cost12.3 yr break-even+43% 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

49/100

Boston University · Boston, MA

$36,717 median salary$24,402/yr net cost15.8 yr break-even+22% 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

66/100Public

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, IL

$35,459 median salary$15,201/yr net cost12.4 yr break-even+18% vs. HS diploma

Journalism

56/100Public

Iowa State University · Ames, IA

$34,913 median salary$18,165/yr net cost16.5 yr break-even+16% vs. HS diploma

Journalism

52/100Public

University of Arizona · Tucson, AZ

$33,571 median salary$15,960/yr net cost19.9 yr break-even+12% 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

37/100Public

The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL

$31,764 median salary$22,150/yr net cost54.9 yr break-even+6% 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.