Journalism at Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
28
Optimistic
28
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,647/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 11.3x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #133 of 178 Journalism programs

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 $493K $493K $462K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.3x 11.3x 10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.7x 5.7x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 28 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,584
Out-of-state: $85,920 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$28,672
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,417
10.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,790
51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $29,647/yr, roughly in line with the $34,417 national median for Journalism. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.3x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,417 represents roughly 10 months of the $29,647 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #133 of 178 Journalism programs, Northern Kentucky University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $44,790 show a 51% jump from the $29,647 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 8,065 in Highland Heights, KY. The average net cost of $28,672 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Journalism at Northern Kentucky University?
A score of 28/100 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 $461,707 in decade earnings vs $492,653 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →