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# Best Journalism Programs in the South (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Regional list from [Best Journalism Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-journalism-programs/)

This page ranks 59 Journalism programs in the South by median earnings of Journalism graduates four years after completing. [George Washington University](/school/george-washington-university/majors/) leads the list with $81,927, followed by [University of Miami](/school/university-of-miami/majors/) 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

59 schools in list order

| 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](/school/george-washington-university/majors/) reports [$81,927 in median earnings](/school/george-washington-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-miami/majors/) ranks 2nd on this list with [median earnings of $71,466](/school/university-of-miami/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-maryland-college-park/majors/) 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](/school/university-of-maryland-college-park/cost/). |
| 5 | American University · Washington, DC | $66,635 | $41,943 | $23,233 | 62.0% |
|  | [American University](/school/american-university/majors/) [admits 62% of applicants](/school/american-university/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-arkansas/majors/) ranks 6th on this list, with [median earnings of $66,087](/school/university-of-arkansas/outcomes/) 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](/school/baylor-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $63,622](/school/baylor-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/majors/) holds the strongest Azimuth composite rank on this page at 9th among nonprofit four-year institutions, alongside [median earnings of $61,145](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-central-florida/majors/) reports an [average net price of $10,411](/school/university-of-central-florida/cost/) 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](/school/university-of-georgia/majors/) reports [median earnings of $60,729](/school/university-of-georgia/outcomes/) 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](/school/texas-christian-university/majors/) ranks 12th on this list, with [median earnings of $58,738](/school/texas-christian-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/west-virginia-university/majors/) reports [$58,454 in median earnings](/school/west-virginia-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-florida/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with [University of Florida](/school/university-of-florida/majors/)'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](/school/texas-state-university/majors/) [admits 89% of applicants](/school/texas-state-university/admissions/) 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](/school/georgia-college-state-university/majors/) 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](/school/university-of-north-texas/majors/) reports [$57,461 in median earnings](/school/university-of-north-texas/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-mississippi/majors/) carries an [average net price of $13,314](/school/university-of-mississippi/cost/) 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](/school/the-university-of-alabama/majors/), which ranks 19th on this list. |
| 20 | Georgia State University · Atlanta, GA | $54,732 | $15,931 | $13,787 | 55.4% |
|  | [Georgia State University](/school/georgia-state-university/majors/) sits at 44th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports [$54,732 in median earnings](/school/georgia-state-university/outcomes/) 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%](/school/georgia-southern-university/admissions/) and an average net price of $12,162 for families earning under $30,000 are posted by [Georgia Southern University](/school/georgia-southern-university/majors/). |
| 22 | Kennesaw State University · Kennesaw, GA | $54,360 | $15,048 | $12,235 | 69.2% |
|  | [Kennesaw State University](/school/kennesaw-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $54,360](/school/kennesaw-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus/majors/) ranks 23rd on this list and carries [median federal debt of $23,000](/school/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus/cost/) 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](/school/university-of-south-carolina-columbia/cost/) coincides with [University of South Carolina-Columbia](/school/university-of-south-carolina-columbia/majors/)'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](/school/texas-tech-university/majors/) reports [$53,206 in median earnings](/school/texas-tech-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-houston/majors/) [admits 74% of applicants](/school/university-of-houston/admissions/) 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](/school/mercer-university/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Macon, shows [median federal debt of $26,000](/school/mercer-university/cost/) among Journalism completers who borrowed. |
| 28 | University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY | $52,785 | $18,851 | $12,182 | 92.9% |
|  | [University of Kentucky](/school/university-of-kentucky/majors/) posts [median earnings of $52,785](/school/university-of-kentucky/outcomes/) 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](/school/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville/majors/) ranks 29th on this list and reports an [average net price of $10,029](/school/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville/cost/) 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](/school/oklahoma-state-university-main-campus/majors/) shows [median federal debt of $21,157](/school/oklahoma-state-university-main-campus/cost/) 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](/school/liberty-university/majors/) [admits 99% of applicants](/school/liberty-university/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-central-oklahoma/majors/) reports [$51,042 in median earnings](/school/university-of-central-oklahoma/outcomes/) 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](/school/florida-agricultural-and-mechanical-university/majors/) [admits 21% of applicants](/school/florida-agricultural-and-mechanical-university/admissions/) 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](/school/morgan-state-university/majors/) shows [median federal debt of $28,750](/school/morgan-state-university/cost/) 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](/school/middle-tennessee-state-university/majors/) ranks 36th on this list and posts [median earnings of $49,932](/school/middle-tennessee-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-memphis/majors/) reports [median earnings of $49,445](/school/university-of-memphis/outcomes/) 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](/school/appalachian-state-university/majors/) ranks 38th on this list and shows an [average net price of $16,836](/school/appalachian-state-university/cost/). |
| 39 | University of West Georgia · Carrollton, GA | $47,891 | $12,786 | $10,339 | 51.6% |
|  | [University of West Georgia](/school/university-of-west-georgia/majors/) [admits 52% of applicants](/school/university-of-west-georgia/admissions/) 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](/school/western-kentucky-university/majors/) [ranks 418th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/western-kentucky-university/) 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](/school/flagler-college/majors/) has an [average net price of $21,733](/school/flagler-college/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 42 | Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK | $46,506 | $12,710 | $10,598 | 99.6% |
|  | [Northeastern State University](/school/northeastern-state-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $46,506](/school/northeastern-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/radford-university/majors/) [admits 90% of applicants](/school/radford-university/admissions/) 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](/school/texas-southern-university/majors/) [ranks 222nd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/texas-southern-university/) 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](/school/northern-kentucky-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $44,834](/school/northern-kentucky-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/auburn-university/majors/) [admits 46% of applicants](/school/auburn-university/admissions/) 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](/school/marshall-university/majors/) ranks 48th on this list and shows an [average net price of $4,648](/school/marshall-university/cost/) 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](/school/university-of-central-arkansas/cost/) at [University of Central Arkansas](/school/university-of-central-arkansas/majors/), 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](/school/washington-and-lee-university/majors/) reports [$42,682 in median earnings](/school/washington-and-lee-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-southern-mississippi/majors/) ranks 54th on this list, and its Journalism completers who borrowed left with a [median federal debt of $25,125](/school/university-of-southern-mississippi/cost/) 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](/school/louisiana-tech-university/majors/) posts [$41,220 in median earnings](/school/louisiana-tech-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/southern-methodist-university/majors/) reports [$36,560 in median earnings](/school/southern-methodist-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/murray-state-university/majors/) ranks 59th on this list, with [$32,569 in median earnings](/school/murray-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/rankings/best-journalism-programs/)
-   [Best Colleges in the South](/rankings/best-colleges-in-the-south/)
-   [Best Journalism Programs in the Northeast](/rankings/best-journalism-programs-in-the-northeast/)
-   [Top Journalism Programs in the Midwest by Earnings](/rankings/best-journalism-programs-in-the-midwest/)
-   [Best Journalism Programs in the West](/rankings/best-journalism-programs-in-the-west/)
-   Communication Colleges in the South for Social Mobility
-   Communication Colleges in the South