Journalism at Washington State University

Washington State University's journalism program produces graduates earning about $36,300 in their first year—roughly $1,100 above the Washington state median and $1,750 above the national average for journalism majors. At the 60th percentile statewide, WSU actually edges out the flagship University of Washington-Seattle campus and trails only Gonzaga among state programs with comparable data. For a field notorious for low starting salaries, this represents a genuine advantage.

The $22,500 in median debt sits slightly below both state and national averages, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62. That means graduates owe about 7.5 months of their first-year salary—not negligible, but far from crisis territory. The combination of above-median earnings and below-median debt gives WSU journalism graduates more breathing room than most of their peers elsewhere.

The reality check: journalism remains a challenging field financially regardless of where you study it. But if your child is committed to this career path, WSU delivers better-than-typical preparation without burying them in debt. The program punches above its weight for a school with an 85% admission rate, and the location in Pullman keeps costs reasonable. It won't make journalism suddenly lucrative, but it stacks up well against the alternatives.