Journalism at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Denver, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,644/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 12.8x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #29 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 $559K $550K $501K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.0x 12.8x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.7x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,120
Out-of-state: $118,012 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$57,176
-33% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,638
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,304
50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,644/yr, edging above the $34,417 national average for Journalism — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Journalism programs nationally.

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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,638 represents roughly 7 months of the $37,644 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #29 of 178 nationally, this is a top-5% Journalism program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $37,644 to $56,304 over five years — a 50% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 14,932 students in Denver, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Metropolitan State University of Denver →

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 Metropolitan State University of Denver

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Journalism at Metropolitan State University of Denver?
A score of 43/100 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 $500,516 in decade earnings vs $559,110 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Metropolitan State University of Denver's Journalism program stand out?
Ranked #29 of 178 programs nationally, Metropolitan State University of Denver 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 →