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 20 schools on the early-career earnings of their journalism graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send journalism graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
University Of Iowa earned the #1 spot for highest-paid journalism graduates in the United States. University Of Iowa is a public school located in the city of Iowa City. Journalism graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of about $75,030 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Kansas earned it the #2 place for journalism. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,011.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Journalism graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $65,744 a year early in their careers.
Boston University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Boston University make a median of around $73,952 per year.
Ball State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Ball State University typically earn about $64,521 annually.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #6 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Columbia University In The City Of New York make a median of around $76,810 per year.
Saint Bonaventure University came in at #7 for journalism graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Saint Bonaventure, Saint Bonaventure University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Saint Bonaventure University make a median of around $68,594 per year.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #8 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. 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 $71,715 per year.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #9 for journalism graduate earnings this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school located in the city of Lincoln. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln typically earn about $61,760 annually.
University Of Georgia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $83,293.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #11 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia typically earn about $67,508 annually.
University Of Southern California ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Journalism graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $75,829 a year early in their careers.
Georgetown University came in at #13 for journalism graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Georgetown University make a median of around $59,912 per year.
Emerson College earned the #14 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Emerson College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,141.
Arizona State University landed the #15 spot for journalism salaries this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Arizona State University typically earn about $69,108 annually.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #16 spot for journalism salaries this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. Journalism graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of about $51,410 a year early in their careers.
American University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Journalism graduates of American University earn a median of about $49,973 a year early in their careers.
Full Sail University earned the #18 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Full Sail University is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. Journalism graduates of Full Sail University earn a median of about $52,002 a year early in their careers.
University Of Oregon placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Oregon typically earn about $54,051 annually.
Syracuse University placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,856.
Explore the highest-paying journalism schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 20 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.