Compare 64 Journalism. programs in the South. Average earnings: $41,574.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Journalism tells a different story. Across 64 programs in the South, earnings range from $47,824 to $71,492—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Washington And Lee University's Journalism program leads with graduates earning $71,492, despite its small cohort of just 7 students. George Washington University follows at $66,907 with a larger 51-student program, while University of Maryland-College Park delivers $57,180 earnings—all outperforming the regional average of $41,574.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Washington And Lee graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 5.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, George Washington leads with a 17.3% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $71,492
Strong outcomes ($52,310) with 67% acceptance
5.5% payment burden | Excellent
17.3% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $71,492 | 7 | $19,500 | Excellent | $38,000 | Manageable | |
| #2 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $66,907 | 51 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #3 | $57,180 | 133 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Challenging | |
| #4 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $53,614 | 17 | $21,500 | Good | $54,925 | High |
| #5 | University Of MiamiPrivate | $53,451 | 29 | $17,500 | Excellent | $37,267 | High |
| #6 | Elon UniversityPrivate | $52,310 | 32 | $20,500 | Good | $46,609 | High |
| #7 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | $51,918 | 86 | $23,000 | Good | $50,786 | High |
| #8 | $51,501 | 42 | $19,500 | Good | $40,025 | High | |
| #9 | University Of ArkansasPublic | $51,403 | 124 | $21,500 | Good | $28,086 | High |
| #10 | $51,204 | 172 | $20,500 | Good | $26,632 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $51,133 | 27 | $29,000 | Manageable | $19,929 | Challenging | |
| #12 | American UniversityPrivate | $50,957 | 45 | $22,750 | Good | $39,169 | High |
| #13 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $50,896 | 159 | $18,500 | Good | $20,855 | Challenging |
| #14 | $50,175 | 81 | $22,250 | Good | $15,753 | Challenging | |
| #15 | University Of FloridaPublic | $49,760 | 130 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Challenging |
| #16 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $49,434 | 180 | $22,500 | Good | $32,980 | High |
| #17 | $49,146 | 98 | $22,750 | Good | $48,666 | High | |
| #18 | $48,285 | 237 | $20,654 | Good | $31,890 | High | |
| #19 | Samford UniversityPrivate | $47,836 | 61 | $19,500 | Good | $39,000 | High |
| #20 | $47,824 | 77 | $20,000 | Good | $29,387 | High | |
| #21 | $47,700 | 287 | $19,250 | Good | $23,211 | High | |
| #22 | $47,546 | 81 | $20,500 | Good | $30,610 | High | |
| #23 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $46,832 | 53 | $21,000 | Good | $43,605 | High |
| #24 | Hampton UniversityPrivate | $46,581 | 40 | $25,442 | Manageable | $74,299 | High |
| #25 | $46,183 | 76 | $21,500 | Manageable | $31,393 | 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 →
