Journalism at American University

American University journalism graduates earn $44,387 in their first year—dramatically outperforming the national median of $34,515 and landing in the 95th percentile nationally. However, DC's journalism market is exceptionally competitive, and this program sits in the 40th percentile among the district's limited options, trailing George Washington's $52,015 by a meaningful margin. For a field often criticized for low starting pay, these numbers suggest American is doing something right on the national stage, even if it's not the top dog locally.

The $25,000 median debt load is reasonable and actually typical for journalism programs (39th percentile nationally). With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56, graduates face manageable payments—roughly equivalent to a year's earnings needing to cover two years of debt. The 15% earnings growth to $50,957 by year four shows steady career progression, which matters in an industry where advancement often depends on building clips and sources over time.

The real question is whether the American University premium—at a 47% acceptance rate school with strong DC connections—justifies potentially higher costs than the debt figures alone suggest. If your child wants journalism and values access to political reporting and federal agencies, American's location and network deliver tangible advantages. But if they're comparing this to GW and can get similar aid packages, the earnings gap is worth examining closely.