Journalism at Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
34
Optimistic
33
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,700/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #98 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 $633K $613K $544K
Earnings Multiple 3.2x 3.1x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 33 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$194,800
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$116,948
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,155
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,829
70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,700 at Marquette University come in 12% above the national median of $34,417 for Journalism programs.

An earnings multiple of 3.1x 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 $25,155 represents roughly 8 months of the $38,700 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #98 of 178 Journalism programs, Marquette University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $65,829 show a 70% jump from the $38,700 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Marquette University

Marquette University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 7,238 students in Milwaukee, WI. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $116,948 — 40% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Marquette 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

Other Majors at Marquette University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Journalism at Marquette University?
A score of 33/100 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 $543,705 in decade earnings vs $633,065 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →