Program Analysis
Graduates earn $31,102/yr, roughly in line with the $34,417 national median for Journalism. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.6x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 0% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $17,200 represents roughly 7 months of the $31,102 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #144 of 178 Journalism programs, University of California-Irvine falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.