Journalism at Samford University
Birmingham, AL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
20
Optimistic
20
Base Case
17
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,311/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market
Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI
3.4x earnings multiple
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 | $526K | $521K | $481K |
| Earnings Multiple | 3.4x | 3.4x | 3.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 53% | 46% | 31% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 20 | 20 | 17 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$152,576
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,120
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,222
62% growth from Year 1
About Samford University
Samford University has a 82% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 3,828 students in Birmingham, AL.
See all programs and financial aid at Samford University →Top Career Paths
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800/yr
Editors
$75,260/yr
Writers and authors
$72,270/yr
Compare & Explore
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Journalism at Samford University?
A score of 20/100 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 $481,228 in decade earnings vs $526,081 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →