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# Best Journalism Programs in Michigan (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Part of [Best Communication Colleges in Michigan](/rankings/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](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) leads the list at $59,498, followed by [Wayne State University](/school/wayne-state-university/majors/) at $54,188 and [Central Michigan University](/school/central-michigan-university/majors/) 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

6 schools in list order

| 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](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) reports [$59,498 in median earnings](/school/michigan-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/wayne-state-university/majors/) [admits 81% of applicants](/school/wayne-state-university/admissions/) 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](/school/central-michigan-university/majors/) [ranks 414th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/central-michigan-university/) 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](/school/oakland-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $9,120](/school/oakland-university/cost/) 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](/school/eastern-michigan-university/majors/) ranks 5th on this list, with [median federal debt of $30,721](/school/eastern-michigan-university/cost/) 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](/school/the-university-of-olivet/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Olivet, reports [median earnings of $25,967](/school/the-university-of-olivet/outcomes/) 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](/rankings/best-journalism-programs/)
-   [Best Colleges in Michigan](/rankings/best-colleges-in-michigan/)
-   [Best Journalism Programs in California](/rankings/best-journalism-programs-in-california/)
-   [Best Journalism Programs in New York](/rankings/best-journalism-programs-in-new-york/)
-   [Best Journalism Programs in Florida](/rankings/best-journalism-programs-in-florida/)
-   [Top Journalism Programs in Georgia by Earnings](/rankings/best-journalism-programs-in-georgia/)
-   [Best Communication Colleges in Michigan](/rankings/best-communication-colleges-in-michigan/)
-   Communication Colleges in Michigan for Social Mobility