Journalism at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Whitewater, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,139/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 15.6x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #40 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 $517K $514K $476K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.7x 15.6x 14.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.2x 7.2x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,000
Out-of-state: $71,664 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,140
-79% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,223
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,139/yr, edging above the $34,417 national average for Journalism — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Journalism programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Journalism's typical career paths, with 64% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 7 months of the $36,139 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #40 of 178 nationally, this is a top-5% Journalism program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $36,139 to $50,223 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has a 83% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 9,180 students in Whitewater, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater →

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Journalism at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater?
A score of 41/100 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 $475,876 in decade earnings vs $516,914 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Journalism program stand out?
Ranked #40 of 178 programs nationally, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →