Journalism at Hastings College

Looking at journalism programs across Nebraska, estimated outcomes here suggest roughly $36,700 in first-year earnings against $25,000 in debt—a more manageable 0.68 ratio that beats the national typical debt load of $24,250. Peer programs in the state range from around $32,500 at Nebraska-Lincoln to over $43,000 at Creighton, positioning Hastings somewhere in the middle of the pack based on these estimates.

The debt burden appears reasonable for a journalism degree, though the field itself presents financial realities worth understanding. Nationally, journalism bachelor's programs typically produce median earnings of $34,515, so the estimated Nebraska figure tracks slightly higher than the national norm. Still, journalism careers often require building experience through lower-paying entry positions before earnings accelerate, meaning that first year can be particularly lean.

For families weighing this investment, the relatively contained debt picture matters more than usual given journalism's typical salary trajectory. A $25,000 debt load leaves some breathing room during those early career years when your child might be working at a small-town newspaper or starting in digital media. The challenge is that without actual reported data for Hastings graduates specifically, you're making this decision based on what similar Nebraska programs have produced—which provides general direction but not certainty about what this particular program delivers for its graduates.