Journalism Degree in Tucson, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Journalism degree analysis for Tucson, AZ. 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
9.9 yrs
in Tucson
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Journalism in Tucson, AZ Overview
Tucson is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 21,782. Public tuition averages $7,664/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 Tucson is approximately $51,040.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$7,664/yr
Private Tuition
$31,536/yr
Room & Board
$18,163/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,106/yr
Unemployment
3.7%
Graduation Rate
67%
Journalism Salary in Tucson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tucson'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.Tucson adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Journalism ROI Calculator for Tucson
Estimate your return on investment for a Journalism degree using local Tucson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,664 | Private avg: $31,536
Tucson avg aid: $14,106/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,308
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,440
vs HS diploma in Tucson
ROI Payback Period
9.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tucson
$221,492
Lifetime earnings premium ($324,800) minus total education cost ($103,308)
Student Loan Payoff for Journalism in Tucson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tucson for Journalism
University of Arizona
public
$12,748/yr
$50,992 total
Pima Community College
public
$2,580/yr
$10,320 total
Prescott College
private
$31,536/yr
$126,144 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pima Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Journalism in Tucson
Tucson offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Journalism graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tucson Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Journalism Job Titles
Journalism in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$67K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$48K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$55K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$52K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$46K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$55K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$46K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$50K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Tucson
Journalism Degree in Tucson — 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 Tucson.