Journalism at George Washington University

George Washington University's journalism program posts some of the strongest earnings in the country for this degree, with graduates earning $52,015 straight out of school—50% higher than the national median of $34,515. This puts GW in the 95th percentile nationally among the 422 schools offering journalism degrees. The $25,000 median debt results in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. Even better, earnings climb to nearly $67,000 by year four, a 29% increase that suggests strong career progression.

The DC context adds nuance: while GW leads among local programs (American University graduates start at $44,387), it ranks in just the 60th percentile within the city. That's less impressive than it sounds—DC has only four journalism programs, and the city's concentrated media market naturally inflates all local salaries. What matters more is that GW's national standing gives graduates mobility beyond the capital.

For a journalism degree, this is about as strong as the financials get. The field typically pays modestly, but GW's location in the heart of federal media, think tanks, and advocacy communications creates genuine career advantages. At this price point, with this earning potential, parents are looking at one of the few journalism programs that pencils out clearly as a viable investment.