Journalism at Mount Mercy University

Drawing on data from Iowa's journalism programs, this Mount Mercy degree tracks toward first-year earnings around $39,347—slightly above the national median for journalism bachelor's degrees and competitive with what Drake and Iowa State graduates typically earn in their first year. The estimated $25,000 in debt produces a manageable 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly eight months of their first year's salary.

The challenge with journalism degrees isn't unique to Mount Mercy: it's a field where salaries start modest nationwide. Even top-performing programs rarely crack $42,000 in first-year earnings, and the career trajectory depends heavily on individual hustle, portfolio development, and geographic mobility. Similar Iowa programs suggest graduates enter a competitive market where building clips, connections, and digital skills matters as much as the credential itself.

For a family weighing this investment, the $25,000 debt load is reasonable compared to what students at peer institutions typically carry, and Iowa's journalism market appears healthier than many states. The real question is whether your child has the entrepreneurial drive journalism increasingly demands—because in this field, the degree opens doors, but individual initiative determines which ones lead somewhere.