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Journalism bachelor's degree outcomes at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · 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 are close to the same-degree benchmark.

$2,645 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 43.4% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −66% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

PRICE SENSITIVITY

The price can change the verdict.

Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.

← Negative payoff$0Positive payoff →

$0Annual price−$93,670

$8,000Annual price−$125,670

$16,000Annual price−$157,670

$19,000Current college-wide context−$169,670

$24,000Annual price−$189,670

$32,000Annual price−$221,670

$40,000Annual price−$253,670

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

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

+32%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$39,347 → $52,095

Not availableEarn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

36Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

85Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

88Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$19,534Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

Not availableRecent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$18,589

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

02 · BORROWING$23,250

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$53,633

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$246/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.

Enter my price →

AVERAGE NET PRICE$18,589Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$24,018Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE88.7%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE75.3%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.

$39,347Year 1

$53,633Year 4

$52,095Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

5.5% 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$4,469

Estimated loan payment$246

88borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$53,633 vs. $56,278

$2,645 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$43,540 median wageIA estimate · 590 jobs · 27-3023-5.9% projected U.S. growth · 3.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeCommunications Teachers, Postsecondary$77,700 median wageIA estimate · 320 jobs · 25-1122+2.1% projected U.S. growth · 2.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeWriters and Authors$61,010 median wageIA estimate · 290 jobs · 27-3043-0.3% projected U.S. growth · 11.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeEditors$57,200 median wageIA estimate · 900 jobs · 27-3041-1.1% projected U.S. growth · 7.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFilm and Video Editors$75,420 median wageU.S. estimate · 25,610 jobs · 27-4032+3.7% projected U.S. growth · 3.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeProofreaders and Copy Markers$44,680 median wageIA estimate · 110 jobs · 43-9081-0.9% projected U.S. growth · 1.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePhotographers$38,290 median wageIA estimate · 430 jobs · 27-4021-0.7% projected U.S. growth · 10.7k openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentBroadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$37,090 median wageIA estimate · 320 jobs · 27-3011-7.6% projected U.S. growth · 2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degree

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