Journalism bachelor's degree outcomes at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public · Federal field 0904

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings trail the same-degree benchmark.

$17,100 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 56.9% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −125% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+24%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$29,686 → $36,866

22Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

32Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

44Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

31Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

Not availableAwarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

—Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$13,171

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$22,300

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$39,178

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$236/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

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AVERAGE NET PRICE$13,171Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$25,170Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE98.2%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE48.5%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$29,686Year 1

$39,178Year 4

$36,866Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

7.2% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$3,265

Estimated loan payment$236

31borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$39,178 vs. $56,278

$17,100 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$62,200 median wageU.S. estimate · 4,140 jobs · 27-3023-5.9% projected U.S. growth · 3.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeCommunications Teachers, Postsecondary$135,000 median wageCA estimate · 3,140 jobs · 25-1122+2.1% projected U.S. growth · 2.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeEditors$98,030 median wageCA estimate · 14,830 jobs · 27-3041-1.1% projected U.S. growth · 7.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeWriters and Authors$86,480 median wageCA estimate · 8,390 jobs · 27-3043-0.3% projected U.S. growth · 11.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFilm and Video Editors$88,490 median wageCA estimate · 8,110 jobs · 27-4032+3.7% projected U.S. growth · 3.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeProofreaders and Copy Markers$57,490 median wageCA estimate · 300 jobs · 43-9081-0.9% projected U.S. growth · 1.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePhotographers$47,840 median wageCA estimate · 7,980 jobs · 27-4021-0.7% projected U.S. growth · 10.7k openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentBroadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$47,340 median wageU.S. estimate · 1,620 jobs · 27-3011-7.6% projected U.S. growth · 2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degree

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