Journalism at Baylor University

Waco, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,675/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #154 of 178 Journalism programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Journalism graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $613K $596K $532K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.7x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 26 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$219,376
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$167,768
24% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,525
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,982
74% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Baylor University's Journalism program produces graduates earning $35,675/yr — within striking distance of the $34,417 national average for this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Journalism's typical career paths, with 64% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,525 represents roughly 8 months of the $35,675 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #154 of 178 Journalism programs, Baylor University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $61,982 show a 74% jump from the $35,675 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Baylor University

Baylor University's 51% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 15,007 in Waco, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Baylor University →

Top Career Paths

Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800/yr
Editors $75,260/yr
Writers and authors $72,270/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Journalism at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Journalism at Baylor University?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Journalism. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Journalism careers?
With 64% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $531,812 in decade earnings vs $612,701 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →