Journalism at The University of Montana

Montana's journalism program offers a straightforward proposition: relatively low debt with earnings that match most peers but don't grow. Graduates earn $35,924 in their first year—above the national median of $34,515 and placing them in the 59th percentile nationally. The $26,375 in typical debt translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73, meaning graduates owe less than a year's salary. That's a better starting position than many journalism programs nationally.

The challenge shows up in year four, when median earnings actually slip slightly to $35,596. This flat trajectory is common in journalism, where entry-level positions often represent the ceiling unless graduates move into management, specialized beats, or adjacent fields like communications. At an open-access university where 96% of applicants are admitted, expectations should align with regional journalism markets rather than competitive metropolitan outlets.

For families weighing this investment, the key question is whether your child is committed to journalism specifically or open to pivoting into related communications work, which often pays better. The debt load won't be crushing, but the earnings plateau means graduates will need to be strategic about career moves after those first few years. This works best for students who understand journalism's financial realities and are pursuing it anyway.