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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Peer schools offering Journalism
How Widener University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Widener University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Widener University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
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.