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Communications · Journalism Rank #7 of 178

Journalismat University of Missouri-Columbia

Graduates earn $43,958/yr in their first year — about 28.0% above the national Journalism average. Base-case 10-year earnings $613K; scenarios range from $543K to $632K depending on AI disruption.

Columbia, MO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
50 AVERAGE
51
Optimistic
44
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,958
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$613K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Missouri

The strong outcomes for Mizzou Journalism graduates aren't an accident; they’re a direct result of the famous "Missouri Method." Instead of just sitting in lectures, you’ll work in professional newsrooms from day one—a local NBC affiliate, a community newspaper, or an NPR station—all run by the university. This isn't an internship; it's your coursework. You graduate with a real-world portfolio and professional connections that make you a top candidate for national outlets like The New York Times and major advertising agencies, bypassing the typical entry-level grind. The high AI risk in this field means your practical, hands-on training is your biggest asset. For your best shot, choose a focus area early (like investigative reporting or strategic communication) and use the school's media outlets to build a standout body of work before you even graduate.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$543K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple9.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$613K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score50/100
Earnings Multiple10.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$632K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple11.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Missouri's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Journalism graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Communications teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 2,700 openings/yr
$77,800/yr
Moderate
2
Editors
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 9,800 openings/yr
$75,260/yr
High
3
Writers and authors
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 13,400 openings/yr
$72,270/yr
Very High
4
Film and video editors
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 3,600 openings/yr
$70,980/yr
High
5
News analysts, reporters, and journalists
-3.9% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$60,280/yr
High
6
Proofreaders and copy markers
-0.6% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$49,210/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Journalism

How University of Missouri stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
George Washington University
DC · Private nonprofit
44
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
2.1x
ROI
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
35
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
1.5x
ROI
Northwestern University
IL · Private nonprofit
39
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
1.7x
ROI
Top score
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
56
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
14.3x
ROI
University of Maryland-College Park
MD · Public
55
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
14.3x
ROI
Also at University of Missouri

Other top programs at University of Missouri

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Missouri, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Journalism at University of Missouri

How does University of Missouri-Columbia's Journalism program score?

This program scores 50/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Journalism graduates.

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 does University of Missouri-Columbia rank so high for Journalism?

The #7 ranking out of 178 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.