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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the early-career earnings of their journalism graduates.
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Below are the schools whose journalism graduates go on to earn the most.
Texas Christian University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools in Texas. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Texas Christian University make a median of around $65,831 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in journalism will find them at Southern Methodist University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Journalism graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $67,878 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the highest-paying schools for journalism. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. After graduating, journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin typically earn about $61,070 annually.
Baylor University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the journalism program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,982.
University Of North Texas produces some of the highest-paid graduates in journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from University Of North Texas make a median of around $53,717 per year.
University Of Houston landed the #6 spot for journalism salaries this year. Set 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.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #7 for journalism graduate earnings this year. 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.
Texas Southern University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying journalism schools. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a public institution. Early-career journalism graduates from Texas Southern University make a median of around $51,133 per year.
Angelo State University earned the #9 position for journalism graduate earnings this year. Angelo State University is a public school located in the city of San Angelo. Early-career journalism graduates from Angelo State University make a median of around $30,008 per year.
Texas Tech University landed the #10 spot for journalism salaries this year. Located 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 list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries journalism graduates go on to earn early in their careers, 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.