Journalism at Goshen College

Borrowing an estimated $25,000 to enter a field where similar Indiana programs suggest first-year earnings around $38,540 creates a manageable but tight financial start. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 means you'd owe roughly eight months of gross pay—not insurmountable for journalism, where starting salaries are notoriously modest, but it demands careful budgeting in those early years. Goshen's estimated debt load runs slightly above what peer programs report in Indiana ($22,837 median), though it tracks closely with the national benchmark for journalism degrees.

The estimated earnings figure aligns with what graduates from IU-Bloomington actually earn ($39,992) and sits comfortably above the national median for journalism programs ($34,515). That said, journalism remains a challenging field financially: even at the 75th percentile nationally, graduates earn just $38,246—suggesting limited room for salary growth through program selection alone. The career rewards here are often non-monetary, making the debt burden particularly important to consider.

For families evaluating this path, the key question is whether your student is committed enough to journalism to accept years of careful financial management after graduation. The estimated numbers suggest a viable but not comfortable launch—you'll be making loan payments on an entry-level salary in a field where passion often matters more than pay.