Location: Jefferson City, MO•In-State Tuition: $9,290•Out-of-State Tuition: $16,882
Median Earnings (1yr)
$26,356
11th percentile
25th percentile in Missouri
Median Debt
$34,532
42% above national median
D/E Ratio: 1.31 ElevatedSample: 18 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Lincoln University's journalism program reports starting salaries of $26,356—about $9,000 below Missouri's median for journalism graduates and nearly $8,000 below the national benchmark. Even among Missouri's 12 journalism programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile. Meanwhile, graduates carry $34,532 in debt, which exceeds both state and national medians by significant margins. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.31 means graduates owe more than they'll earn in their entire first year, creating immediate financial pressure in a field not known for high starting salaries.

The contrast with University of Missouri-Columbia's journalism program—which produces graduates earning $43,958—is particularly stark, though admittedly MU's program has national recognition. Still, paying above-average debt for below-average outcomes creates a challenging financial equation, especially for the 46% of students here receiving Pell grants who likely have limited family resources to cushion the transition.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with more data, but the gap is too wide to dismiss. If journalism is the goal, exploring other Missouri programs or considering whether this specific investment makes sense given the debt load would be prudent. The financial math here doesn't work in graduates' favor based on current data.

Where Lincoln University Stands

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

Lincoln UniversityOther journalism programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Lincoln University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Lincoln University earns $26k — 11th percentile among journalism bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Journalism bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (12 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Lincoln UniversityJefferson City$9,290$26,356—$34,5321.31
University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia$14,130$43,958$58,169$21,4000.49
National Median—$34,515—$24,2500.70

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 Lincoln University, approximately 46% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.