Best Journalism 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
19
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$59,295
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$51,870
Cost of attendance
| # | College | State | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of California-Berkeley
Grad rate: 93.5% |
CA | +$334,944 | $63,018 | $42,708 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center | NY | +$294,720 | $56,736 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
University of Georgia
Grad rate: 87.6% |
GA | +$235,468 | $56,517 | $27,436 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Hofstra University
Grad rate: 67.4% |
NY | +$210,804 | $59,370 | $68,298 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
University of Missouri-Columbia
Grad rate: 75.7% |
MO | +$202,164 | $55,003 | $28,948 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Kent State University at Kent
Grad rate: 65.1% |
OH | +$180,970 | $53,983 | $29,345 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Ball State University
Grad rate: 63.6% |
IN | +$168,272 | $52,927 | $25,134 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Point Park University
Grad rate: 59.2% |
PA | +$114,434 | $52,735 | $50,133 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Columbia University in the City of New York
Grad rate: 95.1% |
NY | +$107,076 | $55,958 | $86,042 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Grad rate: 67.4% |
AZ | +$105,186 | $50,064 | $28,047 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
St Bonaventure University
Grad rate: 71.7% |
NY | +$72,650 | $51,159 | $55,265 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
University of Southern California
Grad rate: 92.2% |
CA | -$8,856 | $50,025 | $84,678 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Northwestern University
Grad rate: 96.2% |
IL | -$22,088 | $49,676 | $87,804 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
University of Maryland-College Park
Grad rate: 88.9% |
MD | -$27,406 | $43,437 | $28,073 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Boston University
Grad rate: 89.5% |
MA | -$77,048 | $46,417 | $82,694 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
University of Oregon
Grad rate: 72.5% |
OR | -$109,892 | $39,769 | $32,636 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
DePaul University
Grad rate: 69.7% |
IL | -$158,114 | $40,041 | $59,467 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Emerson College
Grad rate: 78.2% |
MA | -$227,326 | $38,349 | $77,153 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Full Sail University
Grad rate: 45.0% |
FL | -$269,348 | $32,514 | $39,814 | N/A | 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 Journalism Degrees by State
Browse Journalism programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.