Journalism at Appalachian State University

Appalachian State's journalism program starts graduates at $27,116—well below both the state median of $30,610 and the national figure of $34,515. That 14th percentile national ranking is tough to overlook. However, the 39% earnings jump to $37,704 by year four tells a different story, suggesting graduates who stick with journalism find their footing after a sluggish start. With manageable debt of $21,000 (notably lower than the national median of $24,250), the initial financial strain isn't crushing, though that first year will likely require careful budgeting or supplemental income.

Within North Carolina, this program sits right at the middle of the pack—40th percentile—which matters if your child plans to stay in-state. Elon's journalism program produces higher starting salaries, but at what's likely a significantly higher cost of attendance. The moderate sample size here suggests reasonably consistent outcomes rather than a few outliers skewing the data.

The takeaway: This program works for students committed to journalism as a career path and prepared for lean early years. By year four, graduates are earning competitively for the field, and the debt burden won't follow them around for decades. Just make sure your child understands they're choosing passion over immediate financial payoff—those first couple years will require either family support, roommates, or a side hustle.