Journalism at Syracuse University

Syracuse's Newhouse School produces journalism graduates who significantly outpace their peers—earning $40,757 in year one compared to New York's median of $32,456 and the national benchmark of $34,515. Only Fordham tops Syracuse among New York journalism programs, and the 54% earnings jump to $62,752 by year four suggests strong career trajectory and industry connections that justify the university's selective reputation.

The $27,000 median debt sits at just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of journalism programs leave students with more debt than Syracuse does. Combined with first-year earnings that place graduates in the 87th percentile nationally and 80th percentile statewide, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 is manageable—graduates owe less than eight months of their starting salary. This is rare in journalism, where many programs struggle to deliver return on investment.

For parents weighing Syracuse's higher price tag, the data validates what the Newhouse name promises: measurably better outcomes than most journalism schools. The combination of relatively modest debt and earnings that substantially exceed both state and national norms makes this one of the safer bets in a field often criticized for producing underemployed graduates.