Journalism Degree in Kenosha, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Journalism degree analysis for Kenosha, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.3 yrs
in Kenosha
Cost of Living
106
index (100 = avg)
Journalism in Kenosha, WI Overview
Kenosha, Wisconsin (pop. 99,986) has 8 colleges offering Journalism programs. The local cost of living index of 106 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $668/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 Kenosha is approximately $46,640.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$7,620/yr
Private Tuition
$37,840/yr
Room & Board
$12,059/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,562/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Journalism Salary in Kenosha (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Kenosha's cost of living index of 106 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Journalism salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Kenosha adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Journalism ROI Calculator for Kenosha
Estimate your return on investment for a Journalism degree using local Kenosha tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,620 | Private avg: $37,840
Kenosha avg aid: $15,562/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$78,716
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,540
vs HS diploma in Kenosha
ROI Payback Period
8.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Kenosha
$218,084
Lifetime earnings premium ($296,800) minus total education cost ($78,716)
Student Loan Payoff for Journalism in Kenosha
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Kenosha for Journalism
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
public
$7,620/yr
$30,480 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Gateway Technical College
$4,620/yr
Top Employers for Journalism in Kenosha
Kenosha offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Journalism graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Kenosha Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Journalism Job Titles
Journalism in Nearby Wisconsin Cities
Milwaukee, WI
$41K starting · COL 94
33 colleges
Madison, WI
$39K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$38K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Racine, WI
$38K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Appleton, WI
$35K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Waukesha, WI
$40K starting · COL 90.5
3 colleges
Eau Claire, WI
$38K starting · COL 86
2 colleges
Oshkosh, WI
$47K starting · COL 107
3 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Kenosha
Journalism Degree in Kenosha — 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 Kenosha.