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Journalism at University of Nevada-Reno

Reno, NV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,109/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 14.9x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #34 of 178 Journalism programs Top 25%

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 $544K $537K $492K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.1x 14.9x 13.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.2x 4.7x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,976
Out-of-state: $103,800 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,608
-71% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
6.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,852
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,109/yr, roughly in line with the $34,417 national median for Journalism. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 14.9x 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 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,500 debt-to-$36,109 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #34 out of 178 programs, University of Nevada-Reno's Journalism program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,109 to $53,852 shows 49% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Nevada-Reno

University of Nevada-Reno accepts 85% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 15,723 students in Reno, NV.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nevada-Reno →

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 University of Nevada-Reno

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($85,733) Computer Engineering ($69,310) Civil Engineering ($67,379) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($65,194) Chemical Engineering ($64,039) Mechanical Engineering ($61,977) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($60,223) Accounting and Related Services ($59,218)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Nevada-Reno's Journalism program score?
This program scores 42/100 — 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.
Why does University of Nevada-Reno rank so high for Journalism?
The #34 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →