Journalism at Palm Beach Atlantic University

Palm Beach Atlantic's journalism program carries an estimated $25,000 in debt—slightly above what Florida graduates typically borrow for this degree. While debt loads around this level are manageable in many fields, journalism presents a particular challenge: peer programs across Florida suggest first-year earnings near $38,000, which puts this debt at about two-thirds of that initial salary. That's not catastrophic, but it means your child would be dedicating a meaningful portion of early paychecks to loan payments during years when journalism careers typically require financial flexibility for relocating to better markets or taking lower-paying positions at respected outlets.

What makes this harder to evaluate is that we're working entirely with estimates—both the earnings and debt figures come from comparable programs since this specific program's graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to report. Similar journalism programs in Florida show considerable variation, with graduates at places like Flagler earning $27,800 while University of Miami alumni start near $41,000. Where Palm Beach Atlantic falls within that spectrum matters enormously for whether this investment pays off.

The practical question: can your family afford this program if outcomes land on the lower end of that range? If $25,000 in debt feels sustainable only with earnings in the $38,000-plus zone, you're betting on an uncertain outcome. If the family can absorb more downside risk—or if your child has specific opportunities at Palm Beach Atlantic that justify the investment—the picture changes. But absent actual data showing this program's track record, you're making that decision somewhat blind.