Journalism at CUNY Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,120/yr (-33% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 21.1x earnings multiple (10.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #69 of 178 Journalism programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

While the low earnings figures seem jarring for a New York City school, they reflect the hyper-competitive media landscape you'll be entering. You won't just be competing with your classmates, but with graduates from elite private universities like NYU and Columbia who are also vying for entry-level roles at top-tier outlets. Many early-career journalism jobs in NYC are actually low-paid fellowships, contract gigs, or roles at smaller, non-profit, or local publications that don't command high salaries. The CUNY system's mission is access, and its graduates often build careers from the ground up without the benefit of deep-pocketed alumni networks. Your key to outperforming these numbers is aggressive, hands-on experience. Don't wait for class projects; start freelancing for local Brooklyn publications now to build a professional portfolio that will make you stand out.

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 $651K $629K $554K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.8x 21.1x 18.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.6x 10.2x 9.0x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,808
Out-of-state: $61,608 (10.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$11,772
61% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,398
148% growth from Year 1

About CUNY Brooklyn College

A 54% admission rate makes CUNY Brooklyn College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, enrolling 10,443 students in Brooklyn, NY. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $11,772 over four years — 61% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Brooklyn College →

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 does a 36/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Journalism at CUNY Brooklyn College?
At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Journalism programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Journalism at CUNY Brooklyn College?
The 64% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is CUNY Brooklyn College a good choice for Journalism despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If CUNY Brooklyn College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Journalism at CUNY Brooklyn College?
The 61% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $29,808. At a net cost of $11,772, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →