Best Journalism Programs in Michigan (2026)
Updated
Part of Best Communication Colleges in Michigan
This page ranks the 6 Journalism programs in Michigan by median earnings of Journalism graduates four years after completing, highest first. Michigan State University leads the list at $59,498, followed by Wayne State University at $54,188 and Central Michigan University at $47,775.
Across the listed schools, the median is $47,228, with figures ranging from $59,498 to $25,967. For 1 of the 6 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 5 of the 6 programs, or 83% of the list. Michigan State University ranks 69th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, the strongest showing on the page. Oakland University posts the lowest average net price at $9,120.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $59,498 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
| Michigan State University reports $59,498 in median earnings for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, with 100 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 2 | Wayne State University · Detroit, MI | $54,188 | $12,766 | $11,090 | 81.2% |
| Wayne State University admits 81% of applicants and posts median earnings of $54,188 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 3 | Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI | $47,775 | $17,597 | $12,185 | 89.8% |
| Central Michigan University ranks 414th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Journalism completers who borrowed left with median federal debt of $27,000. | |||||
| 4 | Oakland University · Rochester Hills, MI | $46,680 | $9,120 | $4,422 | 87.8% |
| Oakland University carries an average net price of $9,120 and reports median earnings of $46,680 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 5 | Eastern Michigan University · Ypsilanti, MI | $45,245 | $15,407 | $13,250 | 79.6% |
| Eastern Michigan University ranks 5th on this list, with median federal debt of $30,721 among Journalism completers who borrowed and earnings of $45,245 four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | The University of Olivet · Olivet, MI | $25,967 | $21,393 | $19,656 | 83.3% |
| The University of Olivet, a private nonprofit university in Olivet, reports median earnings of $25,967 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Journalism graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in Michigan appear. The figures cover federally aided completers of Journalism programs who were working and not enrolled after completing. For 1 of the 6 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range from $59,498 to $25,967 yields a spread of $33,531, with Michigan State University leading Wayne State University by $5,310.
Related rankings
- Best Journalism Programs in the United States
- Best Colleges in Michigan
- Best Journalism Programs in California
- Best Journalism Programs in New York
- Best Journalism Programs in Florida
- Top Journalism Programs in Georgia by Earnings
- Best Communication Colleges in Michigan
- Communication Colleges in Michigan for Social Mobility