by our College Data Analytics Team
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 schools on the early-career earnings of their journalism graduates.
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Below are the schools whose journalism graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Washington And Lee University, our #1 for journalism graduate salaries in the United States. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,742.
San Jose State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from San Jose State University make a median of around $69,181 per year.
Stony Brook University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Stony Brook University is a public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Stony Brook University typically earn about $67,142 annually.
Texas Christian University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,831.
Students chasing top earnings in journalism will find them at George Washington University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Journalism graduates of George Washington University earn a median of about $81,856 a year early in their careers.
University Of Denver earned the #6 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,844.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #7 spot for journalism salaries this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school located in the suburb of College Park. Journalism graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $70,492 a year early in their careers.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #8 for journalism graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,804.
Northeastern University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Journalism graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of about $62,784 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern California earned the #10 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Southern California typically earn about $73,113 annually.
University Of Wyoming came in at #11 for journalism graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from University Of Wyoming make a median of around $55,091 per year.
Boston University earned the #12 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,406.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #13 spot for journalism salaries this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from University Of Missouri Columbia make a median of around $68,004 per year.
Syracuse University came in at #14 for journalism graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Syracuse University typically earn about $72,696 annually.
Chapman University earned the #15 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Chapman University make a median of around $69,171 per year.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities typically earn about $67,369 annually.
Duquesne University placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,409.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #18 for journalism graduate earnings this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school located in the city of Madison. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison typically earn about $68,253 annually.
Southern Methodist University placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Journalism graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $67,878 a year early in their careers.
Quinnipiac University placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Quinnipiac University make a median of around $67,047 per year.
University Of Kansas earned the #21 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. University Of Kansas is a public school located in the city of Lawrence. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Kansas typically earn about $62,205 annually.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #22 spot for journalism salaries this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder typically earn about $75,662 annually.
Arizona State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Arizona State University is a public school located in the city of Tempe. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Arizona State University typically earn about $62,711 annually.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,840.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #25 spot for journalism salaries this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo typically earn about $54,592 annually.
These schools also send journalism graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Explore the highest-paying journalism schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their journalism graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.