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Communications · Journalism Rank #171 of 178

Journalismat Louisiana Tech University

Graduates earn $21,087/yr in their first year — about 39.0% below the national Journalism average. Base-case 10-year earnings $378K; scenarios range from $384K to $359K depending on AI disruption.

Ruston, LA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
21 AT RISK
22
Optimistic
19
Pessimistic
Earnings
$21,087
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$378K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Louisiana Tech University

The earnings data for this program reflects the realities of its regional job market. A Louisiana Tech journalism degree primarily prepares you for roles within Louisiana and the surrounding states, where salaries in media and communications are simply lower than in major coastal hubs. Your first job is more likely to be at a small-town newspaper, a local TV affiliate in a city like Shreveport, or handling communications for a regional business, rather than a national outlet in New York or D.C. While the program provides a solid foundation, it doesn't have the extensive, high-paying recruiting pipelines of more nationally recognized journalism schools.

To maximize your prospects, your key action is to build a portfolio that transcends geography. Actively seek out remote freelance writing and editing opportunities with national publications while you are still in school; this demonstrates you can compete for higher-paying work regardless of your location.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$384K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score19/100
Earnings Multiple9.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$378K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score21/100
Earnings Multiple9.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$359K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score22/100
Earnings Multiple8.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Louisiana Tech University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Journalism graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Communications teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 2,700 openings/yr
$77,800/yr
Moderate
2
Editors
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 9,800 openings/yr
$75,260/yr
High
3
Writers and authors
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 13,400 openings/yr
$72,270/yr
Very High
4
Film and video editors
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 3,600 openings/yr
$70,980/yr
High
5
News analysts, reporters, and journalists
-3.9% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$60,280/yr
High
6
Proofreaders and copy markers
-0.6% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$49,210/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Journalism

How Louisiana Tech University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
George Washington University
DC · Private nonprofit
44
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
2.1x
ROI
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
35
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
1.5x
ROI
Northwestern University
IL · Private nonprofit
39
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
1.7x
ROI
Top score
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
56
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
14.3x
ROI
University of Maryland-College Park
MD · Public
55
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
14.3x
ROI
Also at Louisiana Tech University

Other top programs at Louisiana Tech University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Louisiana Tech University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Journalism at Louisiana Tech University

How does Louisiana Tech University's Journalism program score?

This program scores 21/100 — on the lower end for Journalism. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do Louisiana Tech University Journalism graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

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 are Journalism earnings lower at Louisiana Tech University?

Lower starting pay at Louisiana Tech University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.