Journalism at Elon University

Elon, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
28
Optimistic
28
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,105/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #136 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 $620K $602K $536K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.4x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 28 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$178,144
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$164,192
8% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,026
82% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Elon University's Journalism program produces graduates earning $34,105/yr — within striking distance of the $34,417 national average for this field.

An earnings multiple of 3.4x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 14% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $34,105 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #136 of 178 Journalism programs, Elon University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $62,026 show a 82% jump from the $34,105 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Elon University

Elon University's 67% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 6,402 in Elon, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Elon 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 Elon University?
A score of 28/100 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 $536,221 in decade earnings vs $620,253 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →