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2026 Best General Journalism Master’s Degree Schools

28 Colleges in the United States
751 General Journalism Degrees Awarded
$48,489 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Journalism programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general journalism programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 460 schools to find the best for general journalism students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for General Journalism in the United States

See the highest-ranked general journalism schools offering a master’s degree below.

Top Schools in General Journalism

1

University Of Wisconsin Madison tops our 2026 ranking of the best general journalism schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 13 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $40,942 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full general journalism program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for general journalism. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $49,625 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,250. Get the full general journalism details for University Of Southern California

3
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Georgetown University awarded about 16 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Georgetown University earn around $59,912 in the first couple years of their career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. See the full general journalism program report for Georgetown University

4
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 30 general journalism degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. See the full general journalism program report for New York University

5
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. See the full general journalism program report for Harvard University

6

University Of Georgia ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 165 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $46,067 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,120. Get the full general journalism details for University Of Georgia

7
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #7 for general journalism this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 17 general journalism degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Boston University earn around $59,418 in the first couple years of their career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $24,813 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for Boston University

8
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #8 spot for general journalism this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $66,011. Students borrow a median of $22,811 to complete this degree. See the full general journalism program report for University Of Kansas

9

Quinnipiac University earned the #9 position for general journalism this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hamden. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Quinnipiac University in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $40,184 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general journalism program at Quinnipiac University

10

Baylor University placed #10 among the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 10 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $35,675 in their early career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $23,959 in student loans. Read more about the general journalism program at Baylor University

11

University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #11 spot for general journalism this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. About 13 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $61,760 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. Get the full general journalism details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

12
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #12 among the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 18 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $75,030 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,907. See the full general journalism program report for University Of Iowa

13

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #13 spot for general journalism this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 38 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $55,800. Typical student debt for the program is $21,400. More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Missouri Columbia

14

The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 12 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $39,336 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full general journalism program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

15
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 17 general journalism degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of American University earn a median of $49,973 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the general journalism program at American University

16
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Michigan State University awarded about 12 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $36,912 in their early career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $24,985 in student loans. See the full general journalism program report for Michigan State University

17

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #17 spot for general journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 67 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $36,744 in their early career. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

18

University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #18 for general journalism this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $38,762 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of South Carolina Columbia

19
Emerson College crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA

Emerson College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Emerson College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $43,011 in their early career. Emerson College graduates carry a median of $24,580 in student loans. See the full general journalism program report for Emerson College

20

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 20 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $46,893 early in their careers. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full general journalism program report for University Of Maryland College Park

21

University Of North Texas landed the #21 spot for general journalism this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 16 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $38,118 early in their careers. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $19,877 in student loans. More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of North Texas

22

Kent State University At Kent earned the #22 position for general journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. About 20 general journalism degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $56,011 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the general journalism program at Kent State University At Kent

23

Kansas State University landed the #23 spot for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $37,484. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full general journalism program report for Kansas State University

24

Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #24 among the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 12 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $36,352. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general journalism details for Colorado State University Fort Collins

25

University Of Memphis came in at #25 for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 16 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from University Of Memphis earn around $32,820 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. See the full general journalism program report for University Of Memphis

Rest of the Top 27 General Journalism Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general journalism ranking:

26
27
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL

Other General Journalism Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare General Journalism rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Journalism
Associate's Degrees in General Journalism
Bachelor's Degrees in General Journalism
View All General Journalism Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 460 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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