Journalism Degree in Duluth, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Journalism degree analysis for Duluth, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$62K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.8 yrs
in Duluth
Cost of Living
100
index (100 = avg)
Journalism in Duluth, MN Overview
While Duluth has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Journalism students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $12,662/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Although national enrollment in Journalism has been declining, graduates with skills in Reporting and Investigative Journalism remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Duluth is approximately $44,000.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$13,872/yr
Private Tuition
$41,612/yr
Room & Board
$12,662/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,990/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
64%
Journalism Salary in Duluth (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Duluth's cost of living index of 100 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Journalism salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Duluth adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Journalism ROI Calculator for Duluth
Estimate your return on investment for a Journalism degree using local Duluth tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,872 | Private avg: $41,612
Duluth avg aid: $15,990/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$106,136
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,000
vs HS diploma in Duluth
ROI Payback Period
11.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Duluth
$173,864
Lifetime earnings premium ($280,000) minus total education cost ($106,136)
Student Loan Payoff for Journalism in Duluth
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Duluth for Journalism
University of Minnesota Duluth
public
$13,872/yr
$55,488 total
College of St. Scholastica
private
$41,612/yr
$166,448 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lake Superior College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Journalism in Duluth
Duluth offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Journalism graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Duluth Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Journalism Job Titles
Journalism in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$43K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$45K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$48K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$46K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$44K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$43K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$47K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$47K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Duluth
Journalism Degree in Duluth — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Journalism ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Duluth.