by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 415 U.S. colleges awarded 11,474 degrees and certificates in Journalism. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 83% of graduates. College Factual ranks 211 schools in its 2027 Best Journalism Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $36,667 one year after completing, rising to $58,612 after four years.
Journalists need to be up to date on current events and have a nose to sniff out a story. Curiosity and good investigative skills are necessary. If this field piques your interest, consider majoring in journalism.
Journalists have the ability to investigate stories, interview sources, and share this information with readers, viewers, and listeners. As a journalism major, you will receive a well-rounded education and learn everything you need to know about transferring information through all types of media outlets. Not only will you take classes in writing and editing, but you will be educated in history, science, professional ethics, libel, and culture. Journalists cover a wide variety of topics and must do so fairly and correctly.
For those who are interested in television, there is the option to concentrate in Broadcast Journalism or you can learn to tell your story through pictures with a degree in Photojournalism.
Studying Journalism explores Journalism.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., journalism is a widely-pursued major, with 11,474 degrees awarded annually. 415 colleges award journalism degrees, an average of 28 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 450.
By level, the 11,474 awards include 30 certificates, 584 associate degrees, 9,472 bachelor’s degrees, 1,350 master’s degrees and 31 doctorates.
Women earned 65% of journalism degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,428 of 11,474). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (6,667) and Hispanic or Latino (1,977), and international students earned 425.
College Factual ranks 211 schools in its 2027 Best Journalism Schools ranking, including 21 for associate degrees, 180 for bachelor’s degrees and 27 for master’s degrees. It also ranks journalism schools within 45 states. In all, 415 colleges offer journalism programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Journalism Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common journalism credential is the bachelor’s degree: 9,472 of the 11,474 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to journalism call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Communications and Media and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Expression.
Journalists love to write. They are always working on a new story to provide the public with information. This career is best suited for people who are detail oriented and enjoy research. You must cover every detail of breaking stories and ensure all information is shared and accurate. A career in journalism also requires a strong sense of social perceptiveness and a constant awareness of current events.
News can happen at any time. Although journalists work full time, work hours are not always consistent. You may have to work late hours or on weekends to make a deadline or report a breaking story.
The best way to get involved in journalism is through experience. Get involved with your campus newspaper, news studio, or radio station. This will give you the opportunity to write your own articles and sharpen your skills before joining the job force. Internships are also a great way to gain experience. Working at a local news outlet will teach you about real reporting and give you an advantage when trying to find a job after graduation.
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How long a journalism degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 30 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 584 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 9,472 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,350 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 31 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to journalism, at 56.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 56.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.5% |
| Some college courses | 4.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
9 occupations are related to Journalism, with an average median salary of $78,741; the strongest outlook belongs to Film and Video Editors, at 10.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Speech Instructor, Communication Skills Instructor, Speech Teacher and Adjunct Professor.
A degree in Journalism leads to many possible careers in news reporting. Options include trade magazines, news stations, local or national newspapers, Internet news sources, or working as a freelance writer. Some journalism majors don't go into news reporting and instead pursue careers in other communications areas, such as public relations or even advertising.
The occupation related to journalism with the most projected jobs is Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, at 919,494.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Film and Video Editors | 354,104 | 10.0% |
| Proofreaders and Copy Markers | 284,430 | 0.7% |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | 175,767 | 9.1% |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | 160,960 | 8.2% |
| Writers and Authors | 155,629 | -4.3% |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | 92,155 | -0.2% |
| Photographers | 81,551 | -3.6% |
Journalism graduates earn a median $36,667 one year after completing their program, $58,612 after four years and $57,619 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $36,667 |
| 4 years | $58,612 |
| 5 years | $57,619 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to journalism is Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys, with a median salary of $108,419.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $108,419 |
| Editors | $100,346 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| Film and Video Editors | $89,576 |
| Photographers | $75,743 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,101 |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | $70,619 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,195 |
Journalism includes 6 concentrations that together award 11,474 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Journalism (9,568), Journalism, Other (1,081) and Broadcast Journalism (745). It has 5 similar majors in the Communication & Journalism field, which together award 97,009 degrees a year; the largest are Communication, General (55,601), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (20,547) and Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (19,210). Browse all Communication & Journalism majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Journalism | 9,568 |
| Journalism, Other | 1,081 |
| Broadcast Journalism | 745 |
| Photojournalism | 70 |
| Science/Health/Environmental Journalism | 7 |
| Cultural Journalism | 3 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Communication, General | 55,601 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 20,547 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 19,210 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | 1,269 |
| Publishing | 382 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
