Est. Earnings (1yr)
$38,540
Est. from IN median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,000
Est. from national median (41 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable journalism programs in Indiana, Huntington's graduates can expect first-year earnings around $38,540—matching the state median and sitting just above the national 75th percentile. That's genuinely competitive positioning for a journalism degree, where earnings often lag other fields. The estimated $25,000 debt load produces a manageable 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio, below the 1.0 threshold many financial aid experts recommend.

The catch is that these figures come from peer programs, not Huntington's actual graduate outcomes (the school's journalism cohort is too small for the Department of Education to report). What we know for certain is that Indiana journalism programs range from $31,000 to $40,000 in first-year earnings, with larger state universities producing outcomes in that higher band. Huntington's smaller size and 29% Pell grant enrollment suggest a more personalized experience, though without actual data, it's impossible to know if their graduates land closer to IU-Bloomington's outcomes or Ball State's lower figures.

The practical reality: journalism rarely produces high early earnings anywhere, but the estimated debt-to-income picture here looks workable compared to many liberal arts paths. If your student is committed to journalism, this program's estimated financials don't raise red flags—but press the school for placement rates, internship access, and what actual graduates are doing now. Those details matter more than statewide averages when the cohort is this small.

Where Huntington University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all journalism bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Journalism bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (15 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Huntington UniversityHuntington$29,982$38,540*$25,000*
Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington$11,790$39,992*$54,955$19,500*0.49
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis$10,449$38,540*$40,760$22,837*0.59
Ball State UniversityMuncie$10,758$31,398*$47,164$25,675*0.82
National Median$34,515*$24,250*0.70
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with journalism graduates

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

$75,260/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Film and Video Editors

Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.

$70,570/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.

$60,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Photographers

Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.

$42,520/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.

Jobs growth:

Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Huntington University, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.