Journalism Degree in Glendale, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Journalism degree analysis for Glendale, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.1 yrs
in Glendale
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Journalism in Glendale, AZ Overview
Glendale, Arizona (pop. 248,325) has 16 colleges offering Journalism programs. The local cost of living index of 105 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,370/month. 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 Glendale is approximately $46,200.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$12,652/yr
Private Tuition
$44,500/yr
Room & Board
$13,685/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,168/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
53%
Journalism Salary in Glendale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Glendale's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Journalism salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Glendale adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Journalism ROI Calculator for Glendale
Estimate your return on investment for a Journalism degree using local Glendale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,652 | Private avg: $44,500
Glendale avg aid: $14,168/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,348
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,450
vs HS diploma in Glendale
ROI Payback Period
11.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Glendale
$188,652
Lifetime earnings premium ($294,000) minus total education cost ($105,348)
Student Loan Payoff for Journalism in Glendale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Glendale for Journalism
Midwestern University
private
$44,500/yr
$178,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Glendale Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Journalism in Glendale
Glendale offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Journalism graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Glendale Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Journalism Job Titles
Journalism in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$67K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$51K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$48K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$55K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$52K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$55K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$46K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$50K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Glendale
Journalism Degree in Glendale — 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 Glendale.