Journalism at George Washington University

Washington, DC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,015/yr (51% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #25 of 178 Journalism programs Top 25%

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 $717K $686K $593K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.6x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$259,960
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$149,816
42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,856
57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $52,015 per year, Journalism graduates from George Washington University significantly outpace the $34,417 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 17% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $25,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #25 of 178 nationally, this is a top-5% Journalism program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $81,856 show a 57% jump from the $52,015 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About George Washington University

George Washington University accepts 44% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving 10,848 students in Washington, DC. After financial aid, the average student pays $149,816 over four years — 42% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at George Washington 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 George Washington University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Journalism at George Washington University?
A score of 44/100 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 $592,666 in decade earnings vs $716,907 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes George Washington University's Journalism program stand out?
Ranked #25 of 178 programs nationally, George Washington University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →