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Communications · Journalism Rank #178 of 178

Journalismat Widener University

Graduates earn $22,058/yr in their first year — about 36.0% below the national Journalism average. Base-case 10-year earnings $383K; scenarios range from $387K to $365K depending on AI disruption.

Chester, PA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
16 AT RISK
17
Optimistic
14
Pessimistic
Earnings
$22,058
1-year post-graduation
ROI
0.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$383K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Widener University

While Philadelphia is a major media market, this program doesn't appear to have the deep connections needed to place graduates in top newsrooms or agencies. You'll be competing for internships and entry-level jobs against students from larger, more established communications programs like Temple's, which have powerful alumni networks and recruiting pipelines. The modern journalism field rewards specialization—like data reporting or broadcast production—which can be harder to find at a smaller, more generalized program. The high risk from AI also suggests that the more routine writing and editing roles this degree prepares you for are precisely the ones most vulnerable to automation in the near future. If you're set on this path, your key to success will be aggressively pursuing off-campus internships from day one to build a portfolio and network that can overcome the program's limitations.

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
$387K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score14/100
Earnings Multiple1.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$383K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score16/100
Earnings Multiple1.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$365K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score17/100
Earnings Multiple1.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Widener University'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 Widener University 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 Widener University

Other top programs at Widener University

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

FAQ

Frequently asked about Journalism at Widener University

What does a 16/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Journalism at Widener University?

At 16/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Journalism programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Journalism at Widener University?

The 64% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Widener University a good choice for Journalism despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Widener University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.