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 16 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.
Leading the list is San Jose State University, our #1 for journalism graduate salaries in California. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from San Jose State University typically earn about $69,181 annually.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,804.
A rank of #3 makes Chapman University one of the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Journalism graduates of Chapman University earn a median of about $69,171 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Southern California earned it the #4 place for journalism. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career journalism graduates from University Of Southern California make a median of around $74,143 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in journalism will find them at San Francisco State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from San Francisco State University typically earn about $65,760 annually.
California State University Chico ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from California State University Chico make a median of around $56,247 per year.
Pepperdine University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,536.
California State University Sacramento ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,697.
Biola University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Biola University typically earn about $37,551 annually.
California State University Northridge landed the #10 spot for journalism salaries this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. 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 landed the #11 spot for journalism salaries this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from California State University Long Beach make a median of around $54,294 per year.
Ashford University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Ashford University make a median of around $43,094 per year.
Humboldt State University landed the #13 spot for journalism salaries this year. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a public institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,866.
University Of California Irvine earned the #14 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Journalism graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of about $31,102 a year early in their careers.
San Diego State University ranked #15 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. Journalism graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of about $30,269 a year early in their careers.
California Baptist University landed the #16 spot for journalism salaries this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $26,026.
This ranking is produced 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 · 16 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.