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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying journalism schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose journalism graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked University Of Arkansas the top school for journalism graduate earnings in Arkansas. University Of Arkansas is a public school located in the city of Fayetteville. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of Arkansas typically earn about $60,034 annually.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,792.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Central Arkansas earned it the #3 place for journalism. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a public institution. Journalism graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of about $44,341 a year early in their careers.
Arkansas Tech University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a public institution. Journalism graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of about $39,170 a year early in their careers.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Set in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a public institution. Journalism graduates of University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earn a median of about $27,259 a year early in their careers.
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 · 5 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.