Journalism bachelor's degree programs in California

Compare 14 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.

14Programs reporting earnings

$57,492Median year-4 earnings

$18,750Median federal debt

13Programs reporting debt

OUTCOME SPREAD

Highest reported earnings in California

Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.

1University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles · $16,250 federal debt$79,776 2Chapman UniversityOrange · $22,500 federal debt$79,135 3California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo · $19,333 federal debt$70,829 4California State University, ChicoChico · $18,750 federal debt$63,358 5Biola UniversityLa Mirada · $27,000 federal debt$59,925 6California Baptist UniversityRiverside · $26,869 federal debt$58,821 7Pepperdine UniversityMalibu · Debt not reported$58,801 8University of California, IrvineIrvine · $16,900 federal debt$57,492 9San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco · $16,875 federal debt$57,260 10California State University, Long BeachLong Beach · $15,000 federal debt$55,192

CAREER CONTEXT IN CA

What related occupations pay in California

These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.

25-1122Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

State median wage: $135,000
Middle 50% wage range: $102,290–$186,490
State employment: 3,140
Projected growth: +2.1%
Annual openings: 2,400

10th–90th percentile: $78,660–$218,880

27-3041Editors

State median wage: $98,030
Middle 50% wage range: $71,090–$136,820
State employment: 14,830
Projected growth: -1.1%
Annual openings: 7,900

10th–90th percentile: $52,510–$173,590

27-3043Writers and Authors

State median wage: $86,480
Middle 50% wage range: $75,530–$127,870
State employment: 8,390
Projected growth: -0.3%
Annual openings: 11,900

10th–90th percentile: $56,730–$193,080

27-4032Film and Video Editors

State median wage: $88,490
Middle 50% wage range: $60,810–$128,630
State employment: 8,110
Projected growth: +3.7%
Annual openings: 3,100

10th–90th percentile: $42,020–$169,810

43-9081Proofreaders and Copy Markers

State median wage: $57,490
Middle 50% wage range: $45,400–$73,880
State employment: 300
Projected growth: -0.9%
Annual openings: 1,100

10th–90th percentile: $34,320–$81,500

27-4021Photographers

State median wage: $47,840
Middle 50% wage range: $38,410–$72,100
State employment: 7,980
Projected growth: -0.7%
Annual openings: 10,700

10th–90th percentile: $36,470–$125,490

Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.

ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS

Compare every available outcome

Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.

#	College	City	Median year-4 earnings	Median federal debt
1	University of Southern California	Los Angeles	$79,776	$16,250
2	Chapman University	Orange	$79,135	$22,500
3	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo	San Luis Obispo	$70,829	$19,333
4	California State University, Chico	Chico	$63,358	$18,750
5	Biola University	La Mirada	$59,925	$27,000
6	California Baptist University	Riverside	$58,821	$26,869
7	Pepperdine University	Malibu	$58,801	Not available
8	University of California, Irvine	Irvine	$57,492	$16,900
9	San Francisco State University	San Francisco	$57,260	$16,875
10	California State University, Long Beach	Long Beach	$55,192	$15,000
11	San Diego State University	San Diego	$53,997	$14,998
12	California State University, Northridge	Northridge	$53,351	$15,480
13	California State University, Sacramento	Sacramento	$53,145	$20,000
14	California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt	Arcata	$39,178	$22,300

This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A quick read on Journalism in California

What do Journalism bachelor's degree graduates earn in California?

Across 14 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $57,492 four years after completion.

How much federal debt is reported for these programs?

The median is $18,750 among the 13 programs reporting federal debt.

Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?

The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. University of Southern California has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.