Program Analysis
Graduates earn $29,686/yr, roughly in line with the $34,417 national median for Journalism. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
With a 14.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 2% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Journalism career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $20,000 against $29,686/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.
A #145 ranking among 178 Journalism programs places California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
A 24% earnings increase from $29,686 to $36,866 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.