Journalism at University of North Texas

At $38,118 in first-year earnings, UNT's journalism program significantly outperforms both national and Texas mediums, landing in the 74th percentile nationally and 60th percentile among Texas programs. This puts graduates ahead of most journalism programs nationwide and competitive with respected in-state options like UT Austin ($39,336) and University of Houston ($36,226), despite UNT's more accessible admission standards.

The debt picture strengthens the value proposition considerably. At $19,877, graduates carry about $4,600 less debt than the Texas median and nearly $4,400 less than the national average. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates need roughly half their first year's salary to cover their debt—manageable territory for a field often criticized for low pay. Strong 25% earnings growth to $47,700 by year four shows the program positions graduates for meaningful career advancement.

For journalism—a field where breaking in matters more than prestige—UNT delivers solid preparation at a reasonable cost. The combination of above-average starting salaries, below-average debt, and robust sample size makes this a smart choice for students serious about journalism careers without the financial burden that often comes with more expensive programs.