Journalism at Kent State University at Kent

Kent, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,925/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 10.1x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #126 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 $521K $517K $478K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.1x 10.1x 9.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.8x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 30 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,384
Out-of-state: $89,264 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,456
-53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
9.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,848
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,925/yr, roughly in line with the $34,417 national median for Journalism. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Journalism programs nationally.

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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $30,925 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #126 of 178 Journalism programs, Kent State University at Kent falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $48,848 show a 58% jump from the $30,925 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Kent State University at Kent

Kent State University at Kent accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 19,134 in Kent, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Kent State University at Kent →

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

Other Majors at Kent State University at Kent

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Journalism at Kent State University at Kent?
A score of 30/100 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 $478,202 in decade earnings vs $520,896 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →