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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their journalism graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the early-career earnings of their journalism graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose journalism graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in journalism, no school beat Ohio University Main Campus this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Athens. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus typically earn about $58,976 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the highest-paying schools for journalism. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Columbus. Journalism graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $63,824 a year early in their careers.
Miami University Oxford came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Miami University Oxford make a median of around $61,520 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for journalism. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Bowling Green. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus typically earn about $45,711 annually.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Kent State University At Kent make a median of around $56,107 per year.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #6 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus typically earn about $34,829 annually.
Central State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Central State University is a public school located in the rural area of Wilberforce. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Central State University typically earn about $36,745 annually.
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 · 7 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.