Compare 192 Journalism. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $52,055. Top programs: $81,935+.
The highest-earning Journalism program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $62K earnings gap across 193 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. Lehigh University — not a household name in media — tops the rankings, while schools with far more famous journalism reputations land well below.
Topping the list, Lehigh University's Journalism program delivers $82K in median graduate earnings — well above the $52K field average. George Washington University follows at $82K, and USC rounds out the top three at $80K. The pattern is clear: earnings track the program, not the school's overall reputation.
USC Journalism graduates borrow $18,000 in student loans and face just a 4.3% payment burden — firmly in the 'Excellent' category, meaning loan payments take a minimal bite out of post-grad income. For families factoring in parent loans, George Washington University leads with a 12.9% combined burden, the lowest family debt load among top programs.
Highest program earnings: $81,935
Strong outcomes ($79,135) with 65% acceptance rate
4.3% payment burden | Excellent — payment under 8% of discretionary
12.9% family burden | Manageable — payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $81,935 | 30 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | Manageable |
| #2 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $81,927 | 69 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #3 | $79,776 | 92 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $79,135 | 25 | $20,500 | Excellent | $44,954 | Manageable |
| #5 | $75,967 | 196 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $74,709 | 31 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Manageable |
| #7 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $72,475 | 33 | $24,300 | Excellent | $37,095 | Challenging |
| #8 | University Of MiamiPrivate | $71,466 | 27 | $17,500 | Excellent | $37,267 | Manageable |
| #9 | $70,829 | 58 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #10 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $70,404 | 123 | $26,000 | Excellent | $39,841 | Challenging |
| #11 | Elon UniversityPrivate | $69,964 | 33 | $20,500 | Excellent | $46,609 | Challenging |
| #12 | $69,016 | 390 | $20,500 | Excellent | $32,529 | Manageable | |
| #13 | $68,128 | 142 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Manageable | |
| #14 | Creighton UniversityPrivate | $67,808 | 21 | $25,000 | Excellent | $31,504 | Challenging |
| #15 | $67,539 | 58 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #16 | $67,038 | 16 | $23,250 | Excellent | $30,611 | Challenging | |
| #17 | $66,799 | 111 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Manageable | |
| #18 | American UniversityPrivate | $66,635 | 59 | $22,750 | Excellent | $39,169 | Challenging |
| #19 | University Of ArkansasPublic | $66,087 | 124 | $21,500 | Excellent | $28,086 | Manageable |
| #20 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $65,617 | 110 | $23,250 | Excellent | $39,000 | Challenging |
| #21 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $65,535 | 55 | $18,228 | Excellent | $21,400 | Manageable |
| #22 | $64,224 | 158 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Manageable | |
| #23 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | $63,622 | 67 | $23,000 | Excellent | $50,786 | High |
| #24 | $63,358 | 44 | $16,552 | Excellent | $17,585 | Manageable | |
| #25 | Emerson CollegePrivate | $63,337 | 108 | $23,000 | Excellent | $69,996 | 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
