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.
College Factual analyzed 10 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Denver the top school for journalism graduate earnings in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Denver typically earn about $59,844 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in journalism will find them at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from University Of Wyoming make a median of around $55,091 per year.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Colorado Boulder one of the highest-paying schools for journalism. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder typically earn about $75,662 annually.
Brigham Young University Provo produces some of the highest-paid graduates in journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Early-career journalism graduates from Brigham Young University Provo make a median of around $54,592 per year.
Utah State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Utah State University is a public school located in the city of Logan. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Utah State University typically earn about $55,166 annually.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #6 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver typically earn about $56,304 annually.
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #7 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins make a median of around $55,367 per year.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. University Of Northern Colorado is a public school located in the city of Greeley. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado typically earn about $53,764 annually.
The University Of Montana came in at #9 for journalism graduate earnings this year. The University Of Montana is a public school located in the city of Missoula. Journalism graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of about $35,865 a year early in their careers.
University Of Idaho came in at #10 for journalism graduate earnings this year. University Of Idaho is a public school located in the town of Moscow. Early-career journalism graduates from University Of Idaho make a median of around $33,253 per year.
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 · 10 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.