by our College Data Analytics Team
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a journalism degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 18 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.
Texas Christian University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid journalism graduates in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Texas Christian University typically earn about $65,831 annually.
Southern Methodist University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Southern Methodist University typically earn about $67,878 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in journalism will find them at Arizona State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Arizona State University make a median of around $62,711 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in journalism will find them at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Journalism graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of about $61,070 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in journalism will find them at Baylor University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Journalism graduates of Baylor University earn a median of about $61,982 a year early in their careers.
University Of Arizona landed the #6 spot for journalism salaries this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,230.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #7 for journalism graduate earnings this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,281.
University Of North Texas earned the #8 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. University Of North Texas is a public school located in the city of Denton. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from University Of North Texas typically earn about $53,717 annually.
University Of Houston ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a public institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,505.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from University Of New Mexico Main Campus make a median of around $51,500 per year.
Northern Arizona University came in at #11 for journalism graduate earnings this year. Northern Arizona University is a public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Journalism graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of about $48,399 a year early in their careers.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for journalism salaries this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,400.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a public school located in the city of San Marcos. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos typically earn about $40,380 annually.
University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #14 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,110.
Texas Southern University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Texas Southern University is a public school located in the city of Houston. Early-career journalism graduates from Texas Southern University make a median of around $51,133 per year.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for journalism. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Journalism graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of about $31,068 a year early in their careers.
Angelo State University landed the #17 spot for journalism salaries this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Angelo State University make a median of around $30,008 per year.
Texas Tech University landed the #18 spot for journalism salaries this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Texas Tech University make a median of around $29,622 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 · 18 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.