Best Journalism Programs in the South (2026)
Updated
Regional list from Best Journalism Programs in the United States
This page ranks 59 Journalism programs in the South by median earnings of Journalism graduates four years after completing. George Washington University leads the list with $81,927, followed by University of Miami at $71,466 and Elon University at $69,964.
The gap between the top two is $10,461. Across the listed schools, median earnings range from $81,927 to $32,569, with a median of $52,292.
For 4 of the 59 programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 43 of the programs and private nonprofits for 16. University of Florida posts the lowest average net price on the page at $6,541.
The University of Texas at Austin ranks 9th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Washington University · Washington, DC | $81,927 | $36,586 | $17,440 | 47.1% |
| George Washington University reports $81,927 in median earnings of Journalism graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list, alongside an admission rate of 47%. | |||||
| 2 | University of Miami · Coral Gables, FL | $71,466 | $37,244 | $15,978 | 18.9% |
| University of Miami ranks 2nd on this list with median earnings of $71,466 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, and its Journalism completers who borrowed left with a median of $15,500 in federal loans. | |||||
| 3 | Elon University · Elon, NC | $69,964 | $41,555 | $26,523 | 66.4% |
| A private nonprofit university in Elon, Elon University posts an average net price of $41,555 and median earnings of $69,964 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 4 | University of Maryland-College Park · College Park, MD | $68,128 | $15,678 | $2,962 | 44.8% |
| University of Maryland-College Park ranks 4th on this list and 71st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an average net price of $15,678. | |||||
| 5 | American University · Washington, DC | $66,635 | $41,943 | $23,233 | 62.0% |
| American University admits 62% of applicants and reports median earnings of $66,635 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | University of Arkansas · Fayetteville, AR | $66,087 | $18,209 | $14,319 | 74.3% |
| University of Arkansas ranks 6th on this list, with median earnings of $66,087 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing and a cohort of 124 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 7 | Baylor University · Waco, TX | $63,622 | $41,104 | $22,024 | 51.3% |
| Baylor University reports median earnings of $63,622 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, and its Journalism completers who borrowed left with a median of $23,525 in federal loans. | |||||
| 8 | Hampton University · Hampton, VA | $61,675 | $25,319 | $32,101 | 62.3% |
| Hampton University ranks 8th on this list and 1119th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an average net price of $25,319. | |||||
| 9 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $61,145 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 26.6% |
| The University of Texas at Austin holds the strongest Azimuth composite rank on this page at 9th among nonprofit four-year institutions, alongside median earnings of $61,145 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 10 | University of Central Florida · Orlando, FL | $60,887 | $10,411 | $5,816 | 40.1% |
| University of Central Florida reports an average net price of $10,411 and median earnings of $60,887 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, with 53 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 11 | University of Georgia · Athens, GA | $60,729 | $13,936 | $8,085 | 37.7% |
| With a cohort of 153 graduates in the earnings cohort, University of Georgia reports median earnings of $60,729 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 38%. | |||||
| 12 | Texas Christian University · Fort Worth, TX | $58,738 | $36,660 | $17,956 | 44.5% |
| Texas Christian University ranks 12th on this list, with median earnings of $58,738 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing and a median of $21,500 in federal loans across all graduates who borrowed. | |||||
| 13 | West Virginia University · Morgantown, WV | $58,454 | $15,634 | $9,450 | 89.0% |
| West Virginia University reports $58,454 in median earnings for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, with 150 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 14 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $58,150 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 24.2% |
| An average net price of $1,982 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with University of Florida's $58,150 in median earnings for Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 15 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $57,963 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
| Texas State University admits 89% of applicants and posts median federal debt of $16,869 among Journalism completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 16 | Georgia College & State University · Milledgeville, GA | $57,843 | $20,686 | $15,396 | 78.2% |
| Georgia College & State University ranks 16th on this list and sits on Azimuth's composite ranking at 690th among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 17 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $57,461 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 72.2% |
| With 267 graduates in the earnings cohort, University of North Texas reports $57,461 in median earnings for its Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 18 | University of Mississippi · University, MS | $56,381 | $13,314 | $8,945 | 96.6% |
| University of Mississippi carries an average net price of $13,314 alongside median earnings of $56,381 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 19 | The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL | $55,043 | $22,420 | $19,169 | 76.7% |
| Median federal debt of $23,375 among Journalism completers who borrowed is reported by The University of Alabama, which ranks 19th on this list. | |||||
| 20 | Georgia State University · Atlanta, GA | $54,732 | $15,931 | $13,787 | 55.4% |
| Georgia State University sits at 44th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $54,732 in median earnings for its Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 21 | Georgia Southern University · Statesboro, GA | $54,396 | $15,267 | $12,162 | 87.9% |
| An admission rate of 88% and an average net price of $12,162 for families earning under $30,000 are posted by Georgia Southern University. | |||||
| 22 | Kennesaw State University · Kennesaw, GA | $54,360 | $15,048 | $12,235 | 69.2% |
| Kennesaw State University reports median earnings of $54,360 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, with 54 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 23 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK | $54,031 | $15,300 | $10,509 | 76.6% |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus ranks 23rd on this list and carries median federal debt of $23,000 among Journalism completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 24 | University of South Carolina-Columbia · Columbia, SC | $53,294 | $22,811 | $12,634 | 60.2% |
| An average net price of $22,811 coincides with University of South Carolina-Columbia's $53,294 in median earnings for Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 25 | Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX | $53,206 | $19,070 | $12,457 | 72.7% |
| Texas Tech University reports $53,206 in median earnings for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $19,070. | |||||
| 26 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $53,195 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 73.9% |
| University of Houston admits 74% of applicants and ranks 13th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 27 | Mercer University · Macon, GA | $53,182 | $23,847 | $19,817 | 68.9% |
| Mercer University, a private nonprofit university in Macon, shows median federal debt of $26,000 among Journalism completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 28 | University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY | $52,785 | $18,851 | $12,182 | 92.9% |
| University of Kentucky posts median earnings of $52,785 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, with 50 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 29 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville · Knoxville, TN | $52,663 | $18,976 | $10,029 | 41.6% |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville ranks 29th on this list and reports an average net price of $10,029 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 30 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK | $52,292 | $17,447 | $12,243 | 75.0% |
| Oklahoma State University-Main Campus shows median federal debt of $21,157 among Journalism completers who borrowed, and its graduates earn a median of $52,292 four years after completing. | |||||
| 31 | Liberty University · Lynchburg, VA | $51,940 | $29,357 | $30,667 | 99.0% |
| Liberty University admits 99% of applicants and carries a school-wide median federal debt of $24,500 across all of its borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 32 | University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK | $51,042 | $18,309 | $15,275 | 78.1% |
| University of Central Oklahoma reports $51,042 in median earnings for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $18,309. | |||||
| 33 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University · Tallahassee, FL | $50,832 | $13,739 | $13,299 | 20.6% |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University admits 21% of applicants and ranks 163rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 34 | Morgan State University · Baltimore, MD | $50,700 | $14,985 | $9,585 | 82.2% |
| Morgan State University shows median federal debt of $28,750 among Journalism completers who borrowed, alongside an average net price of $9,585 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 35 | Samford University · Birmingham, AL | $50,652 | $32,622 | $22,716 | 82.4% |
| Samford University, a private nonprofit university in Birmingham, reports $50,652 in median earnings for its Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 36 | Middle Tennessee State University · Murfreesboro, TN | $49,932 | $13,359 | $9,289 | 69.1% |
| Middle Tennessee State University ranks 36th on this list and posts median earnings of $49,932 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, with 71 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 37 | University of Memphis · Memphis, TN | $49,445 | $12,397 | $10,607 | 72.0% |
| University of Memphis reports median earnings of $49,445 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, with 42 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 38 | Appalachian State University · Boone, NC | $48,243 | $16,836 | $9,325 | 90.1% |
| A public university in Boone, Appalachian State University ranks 38th on this list and shows an average net price of $16,836. | |||||
| 39 | University of West Georgia · Carrollton, GA | $47,891 | $12,786 | $10,339 | 51.6% |
| University of West Georgia admits 52% of applicants and its Journalism completers who borrowed left with a median of $25,250 in federal loans. | |||||
| 40 | Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY | $47,661 | $10,990 | $7,087 | 93.9% |
| Western Kentucky University ranks 418th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $47,661 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 41 | Flagler College · Saint Augustine, FL | $46,971 | $30,525 | $21,733 | 80.8% |
| A private nonprofit institution in Saint Augustine, Flagler College has an average net price of $21,733 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 42 | Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK | $46,506 | $12,710 | $10,598 | 99.6% |
| Northeastern State University posts median earnings of $46,506 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, and graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $17,367 in federal loans. | |||||
| 43 | North Greenville University · Tigerville, SC | $46,502 | $21,063 | $18,947 | 66.7% |
| North Greenville University ranks 43rd on this list and graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $23,082 in federal loans. | |||||
| 44 | Radford University · Radford, VA | $45,369 | $14,578 | $8,965 | 89.5% |
| Radford University admits 90% of applicants and reports median earnings of $45,369 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 45 | Texas Southern University · Houston, TX | $45,152 | $16,590 | $16,437 | 96.9% |
| Texas Southern University ranks 222nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and has an average net price of $16,437 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 46 | Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY | $44,834 | $8,191 | $2,603 | 67.7% |
| Northern Kentucky University reports median earnings of $44,834 for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $8,191. | |||||
| 47 | Auburn University · Auburn, AL | $44,704 | $24,323 | $16,681 | 45.9% |
| Auburn University admits 46% of applicants and its Journalism completers who borrowed left with a median of $19,213 in federal loans. | |||||
| 48 | Marshall University · Huntington, WV | $44,277 | $7,502 | $4,648 | 95.7% |
| Marshall University ranks 48th on this list and shows an average net price of $4,648 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 49 | University of Richmond · University Of Richmond, VA | $43,426 | $31,309 | $12,808 | 22.2% |
| University of Richmond reports $43,426 in median earnings for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, and its 14 graduates in the earnings cohort coincide with an admission rate of 22%. | |||||
| 50 | University of Central Arkansas · Conway, AR | $43,189 | $16,511 | $14,656 | 89.5% |
| Journalism completers who borrowed left with a median federal debt of $21,562 at University of Central Arkansas, which ranks 50th on this list with median earnings of $43,189 four years after completing. | |||||
| 51 | Washington and Lee University · Lexington, VA | $42,682 | $23,781 | -$1,777* | 14.0% |
| Admitting 14% of applicants, Washington and Lee University reports $42,682 in median earnings for its Journalism graduates four years after completing and ranks 178th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 52 | Kentucky State University · Frankfort, KY | $42,363 | $8,040 | $10,225 | 96.1% |
| Kentucky State University shows a median federal debt of $25,938 across all of its borrowers who completed, alongside $42,363 in median earnings four years after completing. | |||||
| 53 | Rust College · Holly Springs, MS | $41,398 | $12,587 | $12,546 | 48.7% |
| With 30 graduates in the earnings cohort, Rust College reports $41,398 in median earnings four years after completing and an average net price of $12,546 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 54 | University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS | $41,293 | $21,708 | $19,867 | 99.1% |
| University of Southern Mississippi ranks 54th on this list, and its Journalism completers who borrowed left with a median federal debt of $25,125 alongside median earnings of $41,293 four years after completing. | |||||
| 55 | Louisiana Tech University · Ruston, LA | $41,220 | $11,864 | $7,676 | 86.4% |
| Louisiana Tech University posts $41,220 in median earnings four years after completing, and its 31 graduates in the earnings cohort coincide with an admission rate of 86%. | |||||
| 56 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff · Pine Bluff, AR | $40,515 | $12,653 | $12,302 | 41.2% |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff reports $40,515 in median earnings four years after completing, and Journalism completers who borrowed left with a median federal debt of $27,807. | |||||
| 57 | Savannah State University · Savannah, GA | $39,677 | $8,172 | $6,739 | Not reported |
| Savannah State University ranks 57th on this list, with $39,677 in median earnings four years after completing and an average net price of $6,739 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 58 | Southern Methodist University · Dallas, TX | $36,560 | $40,892 | $23,544 | 63.4% |
| Southern Methodist University reports $36,560 in median earnings for its Journalism graduates four years after completing, and its 42 graduates in the earnings cohort coincide with an admission rate of 63%. | |||||
| 59 | Murray State University · Murray, KY | $32,569 | $9,096 | $6,242 | 85.7% |
| Murray State University ranks 59th on this list, with $32,569 in median earnings four years after completing and an average net price of $6,242 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
* Net price can be negative: when grants and scholarships exceed the listed cost of attendance, students can receive the difference as a refund for other expenses.
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 the South appear. The figure covers federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled. For 4 of the 59 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 spread from George Washington University to the bottom of the list is $49,358, and the gap between George Washington University and University of Miami is $10,461.
Related rankings
- Best Journalism Programs in the United States
- Best Colleges in the South
- Best Journalism Programs in the Northeast
- Top Journalism Programs in the Midwest by Earnings
- Best Journalism Programs in the West
- Communication Colleges in the South for Social Mobility
- Communication Colleges in the South