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2027 Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools

180 Colleges in the United States
8,737 Journalism Degrees Awarded
$37,298 Avg Early-Career Salary

Journalism is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 180 schools to find the best for journalism students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Journalism in the United States

Below are the best journalism schools at the bachelor’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Journalism

1

Leading the list is University Of Southern California, our #1 school for journalism. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 118 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $44,651 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete this degree. See the full journalism program report for University Of Southern California

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the top schools for journalism. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 65 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,450 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

A rank of #3 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top schools for journalism. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 82 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $48,637 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,333. See the full journalism program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

4

Indiana University Bloomington is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 131 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $39,992 in their early career. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full journalism program report for Indiana University Bloomington

5
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

A rank of #5 makes University Of Richmond one of the top schools for journalism. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Richmond awarded about 14 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Richmond earn around $43,157 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,897 to complete this degree. See the full journalism program report for University Of Richmond

6

Southern Methodist University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 32 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $40,502. Students borrow a median of $19,448 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from Southern Methodist University

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #7 position for journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 198 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $40,942 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. See the full journalism program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

8

University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 381 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $43,958 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,400. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Missouri Columbia

9

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #9 spot for journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 43 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $33,250 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $13,654 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

10

Texas A And M University College Station placed #10 among the best journalism schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. More information about a degree in journalism from Texas A And M University College Station

11
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 117 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Boston University earn around $42,857 in the first couple years of their career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $24,813 in student loans. See the full journalism program report for Boston University

12

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 90 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $46,893 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full journalism details for University Of Maryland College Park

13
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #13 for journalism this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 139 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $38,164. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,054 in student loans. See the full journalism program report for University Of Florida

14

Loyola Marymount University earned the #14 position for journalism this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 34 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248. Get the full journalism details for Loyola Marymount University

15

Arizona State University earned the #15 position for journalism this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 112 journalism degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $42,605 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,937. More information about a degree in journalism from Arizona State University

16

University Of Georgia earned the #16 position for journalism this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 263 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $36,636 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,120. Get the full journalism details for University Of Georgia

17

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #17 position for journalism this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 163 journalism degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $39,336 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from The University Of Texas At Austin

18

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #18 for journalism this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $36,303 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $22,300 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

19

San Jose State University landed the #19 spot for journalism this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 journalism students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Get the full journalism details for San Jose State University

20
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 206 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $43,191 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,811 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Kansas

21

Chapman University earned the #21 position for journalism this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 36 journalism degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $41,645 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Get the full journalism details for Chapman University

22

George Washington University placed #22 among the best journalism schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 41 journalism students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $52,015. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the journalism program at George Washington University

23

Baylor University landed the #23 spot for journalism this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. Baylor University awarded about 59 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $35,675. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $23,959 in student loans. More information about a degree in journalism from Baylor University

24
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Miami earn around $41,378 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. See the full journalism program report for University Of Miami

25

University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #25 spot for journalism this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 64 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $34,022 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree. See the full journalism program report for University Of Colorado Boulder

Rest of the Top 50 Journalism Schools

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

26
Emerson College crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA
27
28
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
29
Siena College crest
Siena College
Loudonville, NY
30
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
31
32
33
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH
34
35
36
37
38
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
46
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
47
48
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
49
50
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

Honorable Mentions

A few more journalism schools worth a look:

Other Journalism Degree Levels

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

All Degree Levels in Journalism
Associate's Degrees in Journalism
Master's Degrees in Journalism

View All Journalism Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 180 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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