Journalism Degree in Reading, PA — Salary & ROI 2026
Journalism degree analysis for Reading, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
13.7 yrs
in Reading
Cost of Living
118
index (100 = avg)
Journalism in Reading, PA Overview
While Reading has a smaller college scene with 3 institutions, Journalism students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $21,301/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 Reading is approximately $51,920.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
3
Public Tuition
$15,201/yr
Private Tuition
$37,128/yr
Room & Board
$21,301/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,361/yr
Unemployment
6.7%
Graduation Rate
63%
Journalism Salary in Reading (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Reading's cost of living index of 118 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Journalism salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Reading adjustment factor: 1.18x based on the local cost of living index.
Journalism ROI Calculator for Reading
Estimate your return on investment for a Journalism degree using local Reading tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,201 | Private avg: $37,128
Reading avg aid: $13,361/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$146,008
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,620
vs HS diploma in Reading
ROI Payback Period
13.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Reading
$184,392
Lifetime earnings premium ($330,400) minus total education cost ($146,008)
Student Loan Payoff for Journalism in Reading
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Reading for Journalism
Alvernia University
private
$37,128/yr
$148,512 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Reading Area Community College
$5,070/yr
Top Employers for Journalism in Reading
Reading offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Journalism graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Reading Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Journalism Job Titles
Journalism in Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Philadelphia, PA
$66K starting · COL 150
42 colleges
Pittsburgh, PA
$51K starting · COL 115
12 colleges
Allentown, PA
$50K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Erie, PA
$53K starting · COL 120
4 colleges
Upper Darby, PA
$42K starting · COL 94.5
4 colleges
Scranton, PA
$53K starting · COL 120
8 colleges
Bethlehem, PA
$55K starting · COL 125
7 colleges
Lower Merion, PA
$40K starting · COL 91.4
3 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Reading
Journalism Degree in Reading — 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 Reading.