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Journalism at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
56 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
57
Optimistic
56
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $48,637/yr (41% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 13.6x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 178 Journalism programs Top 1%

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 $618K $600K $535K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.9x 13.6x 12.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 4.8x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 57 56 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,300
Out-of-state: $123,980 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,496
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,804
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Journalism program earn $48,637/yr in their first year — 41% above the $34,417 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 13.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 64% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $19,500 in median debt against $48,637 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #1 ranking out of 178 programs puts California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in the top 1% for Journalism. By our composite measure, very few programs deliver stronger results.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $48,637 to $67,804 shows 39% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits 30% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, one of the larger campuses at 21,521 students in San Luis Obispo, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo →

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

Compare this program → View all 178 schools offering Journalism →

Journalism at Other Schools

George Washington University ($52,015) Northeastern University ($51,855) Northwestern University ($50,426) University of Maryland-College Park ($46,893) Brigham Young University ($46,652) Lehigh University ($45,256) University of Southern California ($44,651) American University ($44,387)

Compare Journalism

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of Maryland-College Park → California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs Brigham Young University →

Other Majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Computer Engineering ($111,560) Computer Science ($111,141) Construction Management ($92,785) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($90,576) Industrial Engineering ($87,226) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($85,509) Mechanical Engineering ($83,011) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($82,197)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Journalism program score?
This program scores 56/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Journalism graduates.
How vulnerable is Journalism to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Journalism careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 64% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo rank so high for Journalism?
The #1 ranking out of 178 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →