Compare 5 Journalism. programs in Colorado. Average earnings: $48,842.
The highest-earning Journalism program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $19K earnings gap across 5 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of Colorado Boulder's Journalism program leads with graduates earning $62,737, well above the $48,842 average. University of Denver follows at $48,910, while Colorado State Fort Collins produces $45,792 earners—demonstrating that program quality varies even among respected state institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC Boulder graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 6.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.31.
Highest program earnings: $62,737
Strong outcomes with 83% acceptance
6.7% payment burden | Excellent
24.6% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $62,737 | 62 | $19,500 | Excellent | $46,340 | Challenging | |
| #2 | University Of DenverPrivate | $48,910 | 14 | $21,844 | Good | $27,813 | High |
| #3 | $45,792 | 129 | $20,000 | Good | $36,000 | High | |
| #4 | $43,388 | 25 | $21,500 | Manageable | $13,743 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $43,381 | 28 | $20,470 | Manageable | $22,566 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
