Journalism at Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
26
Optimistic
26
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,622/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 8.9x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #155 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 $411K $422K $414K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.7x 8.9x 8.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.2x 4.3x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 26 23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,408
Out-of-state: $97,804 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$80,284
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$42,248
43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $29,622/yr, roughly in line with the $34,417 national median for Journalism. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 8.9x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 64% task exposure — and the -1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,000 debt-to-$29,622 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #155 out of 178 programs, Texas Tech University's financial outcomes for Journalism trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 32,446 students in Lubbock, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas Tech 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Texas Tech University's Journalism program score?
This program scores 26/100 — 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 →