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Journalism at Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,536/yr (24% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 1.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #101 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 $490K $490K $460K
Earnings Multiple 1.8x 1.8x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$266,968
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$181,636
32% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$45,717
7% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $42,536 at Pepperdine University come in 24% above the national median of $34,417 for Journalism programs.

An earnings multiple of 1.8x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 64% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #101 out of 178 programs, Pepperdine University's financial outcomes for Journalism trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Pepperdine University

A 50% admission rate makes Pepperdine University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 3,629 students in Malibu, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $181,636 over four years — 32% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Pepperdine 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

Compare this program → View all 178 schools offering Journalism →

Journalism at Other Schools

George Washington University ($52,015) Northeastern University ($51,855) Northwestern University ($50,426) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($48,637) University of Maryland-College Park ($46,893) Brigham Young University ($46,652) Lehigh University ($45,256) University of Southern California ($44,651)

Other Majors at Pepperdine University

Business Administration, Management and Operations ($69,751) Economics ($54,267) Communication and Media Studies ($48,398) Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($45,988) Political Science and Government ($42,306) International/Global Studies ($36,920) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($34,388) Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies ($33,228)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pepperdine University's Journalism program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Journalism. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →