Journalism at Texas Southern University

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,301/yr (-47% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 16.7x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #127 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 $632K $612K $543K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.2x 16.7x 14.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.0x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 30 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,692
Out-of-state: $87,092 (7.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,936
-115% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,000
20.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,133
179% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Texas Southern University's Journalism graduates start at $18,301/yr, trailing the $34,417 national average by 47%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 16.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 64% task exposure — and the 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $31,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $18,301 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #127 out of 178 programs, Texas Southern University's financial outcomes for Journalism trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $18,301 to $51,133 over five years (179% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Texas Southern University

A 93% acceptance rate means Texas Southern University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 6,619 students in Houston, TX. 71% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas Southern 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 Texas Southern University

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Texas Southern University's Journalism program score?
This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Journalism. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Texas Southern University Journalism graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.7x 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 Texas Southern University?
Lower starting pay at Texas Southern University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →