Journalism Degree in Topeka, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Journalism degree analysis for Topeka, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$37K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$52K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
10.5 yrs
in Topeka
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Journalism in Topeka, KS Overview
Topeka, Kansas (pop. 126,587) has 14 colleges offering Journalism programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,052/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 Topeka is approximately $36,960.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$8,640/yr
Private Tuition
$44,161/yr
Room & Board
$11,239/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,855/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
75%
Journalism Salary in Topeka (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Topeka's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Journalism salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Topeka adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Journalism ROI Calculator for Topeka
Estimate your return on investment for a Journalism degree using local Topeka tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,640 | Private avg: $44,161
Topeka avg aid: $13,855/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,516
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$7,560
vs HS diploma in Topeka
ROI Payback Period
10.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Topeka
$155,684
Lifetime earnings premium ($235,200) minus total education cost ($79,516)
Student Loan Payoff for Journalism in Topeka
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Topeka for Journalism
Washburn University
public
$8,640/yr
$34,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washburn Institute of Technology
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Journalism in Topeka
Topeka offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Journalism graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Topeka Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Journalism Job Titles
Journalism in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$46K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$45K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$36K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$43K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$48K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$38K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$42K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$42K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Topeka
Journalism Degree in Topeka — 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 Topeka.