by our College Data Analytics Team
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their journalism graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 6 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 University Of Maryland College Park, our #1 for journalism graduate salaries in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park typically earn about $65,744 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the highest-paying schools for journalism. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York typically earn about $76,810 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Saint Bonaventure University one of the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the town of Saint Bonaventure, Saint Bonaventure University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,594.
A rank of #4 makes Georgetown University one of the highest-paying schools for journalism. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Early-career journalism graduates from Georgetown University make a median of around $59,912 per year.
A rank of #5 makes American University one of the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from American University typically earn about $49,973 annually.
Syracuse University earned the #6 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Syracuse University make a median of around $41,856 per year.
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 · 6 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.