Journalism Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Gathering, reporting, and presenting news and information to the public.
Starting Salary
$40K
median
Mid-Career
$62K
salary
ROI Payback
6 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Journalism Overview
Gathering, reporting, and presenting news and information to the public.
Category
Communications
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
62%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
30%
Lifetime Premium
$280K
Female Graduates
60%
Journalism Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$16,200
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$16,200
after scholarships
ROI Payback
3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$263,800
Lifetime earnings premium ($280,000) minus net degree cost ($16,200)
Journalism Salary Progression
Common Journalism Careers
Reporter
Editor
News Producer
Investigative Journalist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Journalism
#1
Northwestern
#2
Columbia
#3
University of Missouri
#4
NYU
#5
USC
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Journalism Degree FAQ
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