Journalism at Ithaca College

Ithaca College's journalism program shows graduates making substantial gains after a modest start. While first-year earnings of $34,453 land right at the national median, by year four graduates reach $47,376—a 38% jump that outpaces the typical trajectory for journalism majors. Among New York's 28 journalism programs, Ithaca ranks at the 60th percentile, meaningfully above the state median of $32,456, though still trailing powerhouses like Fordham and Syracuse.

The $25,000 median debt sits at exactly the state average and just above the national median, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73. This means graduates owe roughly nine months of their first-year salary—reasonable for a field not known for high starting pay. The 38% earnings growth matters here: what starts as a tight financial picture opens up considerably as graduates establish themselves.

For families comfortable with the realities of journalism economics—lower starting salaries offset by steady advancement—Ithaca delivers solid outcomes relative to peers. The program performs better than most New York alternatives outside the top tier, and the debt load won't create crushing pressure during those critical early career years when journalism experience matters more than paychecks.