Journalism Degree in Reno, NV — Salary & ROI 2026
Journalism degree analysis for Reno, NV. 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
8.5 yrs
in Reno
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Journalism in Reno, NV Overview
Reno is one of Nevada's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 20,250. Public tuition averages $8,691/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Reno is approximately $51,040.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
21
Public Tuition
$8,691/yr
Private Tuition
$55,136/yr
Room & Board
$13,579/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,613/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
64%
Journalism Salary in Reno (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Reno's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Journalism salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Reno adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Journalism ROI Calculator for Reno
Estimate your return on investment for a Journalism degree using local Reno tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,691 | Private avg: $55,136
Reno avg aid: $15,613/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,080
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,440
vs HS diploma in Reno
ROI Payback Period
8.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Reno
$235,720
Lifetime earnings premium ($324,800) minus total education cost ($89,080)
Student Loan Payoff for Journalism in Reno
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Reno for Journalism
University of Nevada, Reno
public
$8,691/yr
$34,764 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Truckee Meadows Community College
$3,420/yr
Top Employers for Journalism in Reno
Reno offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Journalism graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Reno Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Journalism Job Titles
Journalism in Nearby Nevada Cities
Las Vegas, NV
$51K starting · COL 115
45 colleges
Henderson, NV
$57K starting · COL 129
12 colleges
North Las Vegas, NV
$43K starting · COL 98.5
10 colleges
Spring Valley, NV
$44K starting · COL 100.2
8 colleges
Sunrise Manor, NV
$42K starting · COL 95.8
7 colleges
Paradise, NV
$44K starting · COL 100.5
7 colleges
Enterprise, NV
$46K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Sparks, NV
$46K starting · COL 105.2
5 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Reno
Journalism Degree in Reno — 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 Reno.