Best Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other Degrees in the US by ROI
Top colleges ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all active states. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
24
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$198,761
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$41,745
Cost of attendance
| # | College | State | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Farmingdale State College
Grad rate: 55.6% |
NY | +$74,061 | $50,271 | $17,146 | $16,870 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Grad rate: 87.9% |
OH | -$16,537 | $48,539 | $29,320 | $22,250 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
DeSales University
Grad rate: 69.2% |
PA | -$46,936 | $51,535 | $59,409 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
West Virginia University
Grad rate: 61.7% |
WV | -$60,802 | $45,383 | $23,678 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Michigan Technological University
Grad rate: 68.2% |
MI | -$63,600 | $45,330 | $32,550 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
California Lutheran University
Grad rate: 73.6% |
CA | -$68,192 | $52,964 | $63,768 | $24,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Drexel University
Grad rate: 77.6% |
PA | -$90,768 | $52,495 | $75,167 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Marquette University
Grad rate: 81.3% |
WI | -$100,752 | $49,609 | $63,233 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
University of St Thomas
Grad rate: 77.3% |
MN | -$107,376 | $49,568 | $64,684 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Grad rate: 84.6% |
MN | -$122,191 | $43,075 | $29,013 | $20,474 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Seton Hall University
Grad rate: 71.6% |
NJ | -$164,584 | $46,770 | $64,996 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
SUNY Buffalo State University
Grad rate: 36.2% |
NY | -$175,000 | $39,464 | $23,171 | $23,405 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
University of Minnesota-Duluth
Grad rate: 63.4% |
MN | -$183,848 | $38,189 | $26,907 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Immaculata University
Grad rate: 62.7% |
PA | -$199,164 | $41,125 | $45,416 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Grand Valley State University
Grad rate: 67.4% |
MI | -$214,948 | $38,288 | $26,578 | $25,479 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
Grad rate: 62.1% |
OH | -$230,412 | $36,327 | $29,238 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Flagler College
Grad rate: 56.5% |
FL | -$331,376 | $33,778 | $41,734 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Tennessee Technological University
Grad rate: 57.0% |
TN | -$334,310 | $31,659 | $25,338 | $19,362 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Wilkes University
Grad rate: 59.8% |
PA | -$343,084 | $36,237 | $56,956 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Berry College
Grad rate: 69.4% |
GA | -$347,278 | $37,329 | $55,714 | $22,965 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Keystone College
Grad rate: 42.1% |
PA | -$371,828 | $29,757 | $31,742 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
Malone University
Grad rate: 51.2% |
OH | -$395,838 | $33,634 | $48,017 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
Quincy University
Grad rate: 46.7% |
IL | -$436,368 | $29,202 | $45,102 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 24 |
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Grad rate: 60.2% |
NY | -$439,142 | $26,178 | $23,018 | $22,689 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other Degrees by State
Browse Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.