Journalism at Drake University

Drake's journalism program stands out nationally with first-year earnings of $41,913—well above both the national median of $34,515 and Iowa's $39,347. This performance suggests the university's connections in Des Moines media markets and its reputation are translating into stronger starting positions for graduates compared to most journalism programs nationwide.

The estimated $25,000 in debt (based on typical borrowing patterns across Drake's bachelor's programs) creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, which is manageable for a field often characterized by lower starting salaries. While actual debt for journalism students specifically might vary, this estimate aligns closely with typical journalism program debt nationally ($24,250) and in Iowa ($24,578). The combination of above-average earnings and moderate debt puts Drake graduates in a relatively stronger financial position than peers at most journalism programs, though Iowa State appears to offer comparable outcomes.

The 16% earnings growth to $48,432 by year four shows reasonable progression, though journalism salaries tend to climb more slowly than many other fields. For families comfortable with Drake's overall cost structure and confident their student will leverage the program's apparent networking advantages, the earnings data looks encouraging. However, remember these debt figures are estimates—confirm actual financial aid packages and typical borrowing before committing, particularly if your student might need more than the estimated amount.