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 highest-paying schools turn a journalism degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the early-career earnings of their journalism graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send journalism graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Northeastern University the top school for journalism graduate earnings in the New England Region. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,784.
Boston University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Set 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 $73,498 per year.
Quinnipiac University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a private not-for-profit institution. Journalism graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of about $67,047 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in journalism will find them at Emerson College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Journalism graduates of Emerson College earn a median of about $63,300 a year early in their careers.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst produces some of the highest-paid graduates in journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school located in the city of Amherst. Early-career journalism graduates from University Of Massachusetts Amherst make a median of around $58,874 per year.
University Of Rhode Island placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. University Of Rhode Island is a public school located in the suburb of Kingston. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island typically earn about $49,716 annually.
University Of Connecticut ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. University Of Connecticut is a public school located in the town of Storrs. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Connecticut typically earn about $66,259 annually.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #8 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a public school located in the city of New Haven. Early-career journalism graduates from Southern Connecticut State University make a median of around $36,153 per year.
Central Connecticut State University came in at #9 for journalism graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. Journalism graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of about $34,577 a year early in their careers.
Suffolk University earned the #10 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Suffolk University make a median of around $33,628 per year.
University Of Maine earned the #11 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a public institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $28,704.
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 · 11 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.