Journalism Degree in Hillsboro, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Journalism degree analysis for Hillsboro, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
10.1 yrs
in Hillsboro
Cost of Living
115.5
index (100 = avg)
Journalism in Hillsboro, OR Overview
While Hillsboro has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Journalism students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,938/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 Hillsboro is approximately $50,820.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,938/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,549/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
47%
Journalism Salary in Hillsboro (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Hillsboro's cost of living index of 115.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Journalism salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Hillsboro adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Journalism ROI Calculator for Hillsboro
Estimate your return on investment for a Journalism degree using local Hillsboro tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Hillsboro avg aid: $9,549/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,352
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,395
vs HS diploma in Hillsboro
ROI Payback Period
10.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Hillsboro
$218,048
Lifetime earnings premium ($323,400) minus total education cost ($105,352)
Student Loan Payoff for Journalism in Hillsboro
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Hillsboro for Journalism
Hillsboro State University
public
$12,045/yr
$48,180 total
University of Hillsboro
public
$13,855/yr
$55,420 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hillsboro Community College
$5,881/yr
Top Employers for Journalism in Hillsboro
Hillsboro offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Journalism graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Hillsboro Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Journalism Job Titles
Journalism in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$49K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$57K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$53K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$48K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$47K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$47K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$49K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$53K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Hillsboro
Journalism Degree in Hillsboro — 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 Hillsboro.