Bachelor’s Degrees in Journalism
Education Levels of Journalism Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 10,026 people earned their bachelor's degree in journalism. This earns it the #46 spot on the list of the most popular bachelor's degree programs in the nation.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in journalism at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 10,026 |
| Master’s Degree | 1,525 |
| Associate Degree | 545 |
| Basic Certificate | 97 |
| Graduate Certificate | 38 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 35 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 14 |
Earnings of Journalism Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in journalism is $34,515. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $30,301 and the high is $38,246.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in journalism is $36,539. The length of time it takes you to graduate and what college you attend can affect this number quite a bit. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $53,100 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $25,983.
The median monthly payment of a journalism graduate with a 10-year repayment plan is $435.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in journalism. About 64.8% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 3,527 |
| Women | 6,499 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of journalism bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 347 |
| Black or African American | 1,153 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,546 |
| White | 6,038 |
| International Students | 232 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 710 |
Most Popular Journalism Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 381 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
The most popular school in the United States for journalism students seekinga bachelor's degree is University of Missouri - Columbia. Roughly 31,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,008 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,000 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 428 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from Mizzou. About 73% of this group were women, and 21% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in journalism at University of Missouri - Columbia make a median salary of 34,515.
The 2nd most popular school in the country for journalism majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of North Texas. Each year, around 40,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,319 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,160 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 274 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from UNT. Around 59% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 61% were women. Data shows that UNT graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,515.
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is the 3rd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in journalism. Each year, around 27,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,070 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,903 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 261 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from University of Oklahoma. About 67% of this group were women, and 31% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in journalism at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus make a median salary of 34,515.
The 4th most popular school in the country for journalism majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Each year, around 52,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,496 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,116 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 258 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from UMN Twin Cities. Of these students, 70% were women and 21% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in journalism at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities make a median salary of 34,515.
University of Kansas is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in journalism. Roughly 26,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,596 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,488 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 237 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from KU. Around 18% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 70% were women. University of Kansas journalism graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,515.
University of Wisconsin - Madison is the 6th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in journalism. Roughly 44,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,644 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,728 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 196 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from UW - Madison. About 76% of this group were women, and 14% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UW - Madison graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,515.
Arizona State University - Tempe comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in journalism. Each year, around 74,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,376 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 191 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from ASU - Tempe. About 80% of this group were women, and 47% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in journalism at Arizona State University - Tempe make a median salary of 34,515.
Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus is the 8th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in journalism. Roughly 0 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $19,672 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $24,956 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 190 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from Penn State University Park. About 50% of this group were women, and 18% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus journalism graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,515.
Georgia State University is the 9th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in journalism. Each year, around 36,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,158 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,164 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 179 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from Georgia State. About 70% of this group were women, and 81% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in journalism at Georgia State University make a median salary of 34,515.
The 10th most popular school in the country for journalism majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is West Virginia University. Each year, around 26,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,648 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,908 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 170 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from WVU. Around 13% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 53% were women. Data shows that WVU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,515.
San Diego State University is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in journalism. Each year, around 36,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 170 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from SDSU. About 81% of this group were women, and 52% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. San Diego State University journalism graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,515.
The University of Texas at Austin is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in journalism. Each year, around 50,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,678 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,012 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 166 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from UT Austin. Around 41% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 76% were women. Data shows that UT Austin graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,515.
The 13th most popular school in the country for journalism majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Ohio University - Athens Campus. Each year, around 25,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,746 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,444 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 165 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from OHIO Athens. Of these students, 67% were women and 17% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Ohio University - Athens Campus journalism graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,515.
California State University - Northridge comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in journalism. Each year, around 40,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 161 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from CSUN. Around 72% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 63% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in journalism at California State University - Northridge make a median salary of 34,515.
Syracuse University is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in journalism. Each year, around 21,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $61,310 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $44,928 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 141 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from Syracuse. About 45% of this group were women, and 17% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Syracuse University journalism graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,515.
University of Oregon is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in journalism. Each year, around 21,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,240 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,659 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 137 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from UO. Around 29% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 52% were women. Data shows that UO graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,515.
The 17th most popular school in the country for journalism majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Arkansas. Roughly 27,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,666 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,500 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 136 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from UARK. About 81% of this group were women, and 23% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Arkansas journalism graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,515.
University of Iowa is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in journalism. Roughly 30,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,016 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,256 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 130 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from Iowa. About 68% of this group were women, and 16% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in journalism at University of Iowa make a median salary of 34,515.
The 19th most popular school in the country for journalism majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Colorado State University - Fort Collins. Each year, around 32,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,299 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,159 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 128 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from Colorado State. Around 22% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 65% were women. Colorado State University - Fort Collins journalism graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,515.
University of Georgia comes in at #20 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in journalism. Each year, around 39,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,790 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,878 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 126 people received their bachelor's degree in journalism from UGA. About 68% of this group were women, and 28% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UGA graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,515.
Explore Major by State
Alabama
Arkansas
Connecticut
Florida
Idaho
Iowa
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Nebraska
New Jersey
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Vermont
West Virginia
Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to journalism that offer bachelor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Communication & Media Studies | 44,674 |
| Public Relations & Advertising | 15,715 |
| Radio, TV & Digital Communication | 10,971 |
| Other Communication & Journalism | 644 |
| Publishing | 104 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By Jfurrer under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.