Journalism at St Bonaventure University

St. Bonaventure's journalism program sits comfortably in the middle of New York's market, outpacing more than half of the state's 28 programs despite first-year earnings that initially trail both the state and national median. That 60th percentile ranking in New York matters more than the national comparison would suggest—graduates here are earning roughly $15,000 less than Syracuse or Fordham grads initially, but they're also carrying manageable debt and seeing strong earnings growth.

The debt picture is genuinely attractive: $27,000 ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of journalism programs saddle students with more debt. Combined with four-year earnings that reach $47,036—a healthy 38% jump—the financial math becomes more favorable over time. The 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than a year's starting salary, which is reasonable for a field not known for lucrative entry-level positions.

The significant caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means one or two outliers could skew these numbers considerably. That said, for a family considering journalism programs in New York without the price tag of the state's elite programs, St. Bonaventure offers a middle-tier option with conservative debt loads. Just recognize you're not buying the network or brand recognition that comes with the Syracuse nameplate.