by our College Data Analytics Team
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying journalism schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send journalism graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in journalism, no school beat San Jose State University this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. Journalism graduates of San Jose State University earn a median of about $69,181 a year early in their careers.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo make a median of around $67,804 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Chapman University earned it the #3 place for journalism. Chapman University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Early-career journalism graduates from Chapman University make a median of around $69,171 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in journalism will find them at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Journalism graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $73,747 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Southern California earned it the #5 place for journalism. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Southern California typically earn about $74,143 annually.
San Francisco State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. San Francisco State University is a public school located in the city of San Francisco. Early-career journalism graduates from San Francisco State University make a median of around $65,760 per year.
California State University Chico ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from California State University Chico typically earn about $56,247 annually.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #8 spot for journalism salaries this year. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,852.
Pepperdine University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Pepperdine University make a median of around $42,536 per year.
Gonzaga University came in at #10 for journalism graduate earnings this year. Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,880.
University Of Oregon landed the #11 spot for journalism salaries this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a public institution. Journalism graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of about $54,176 a year early in their careers.
Western Washington University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Western Washington University typically earn about $52,942 annually.
California State University Sacramento earned the #13 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Journalism graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $56,697 a year early in their careers.
Biola University came in at #14 for journalism graduate earnings this year. Biola University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. Early-career journalism graduates from Biola University make a median of around $37,551 per year.
California State University Northridge placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. California State University Northridge is a public school located in the city of Northridge. Journalism graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of about $53,354 a year early in their careers.
California State University Long Beach ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Journalism graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $54,294 a year early in their careers.
Ashford University earned the #17 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,094.
Washington State University landed the #18 spot for journalism salaries this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. Journalism graduates of Washington State University earn a median of about $36,273 a year early in their careers.
University Of Alaska Anchorage ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Set in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Alaska Anchorage typically earn about $36,200 annually.
Humboldt State University placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Humboldt State University make a median of around $36,866 per year.
University Of California Irvine earned the #21 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of California Irvine typically earn about $31,102 annually.
San Diego State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. San Diego State University is a public school located in the city of San Diego. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from San Diego State University typically earn about $30,269 annually.
California Baptist University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from California Baptist University typically earn about $26,026 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries journalism graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 23 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.