Journalism bachelor's degree outcomes at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · 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 notably above the same-degree benchmark.

$19,689 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 30.6% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: $32,418 / year
10-year scenario: +24% · Positive 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.

+67%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$40,942 → $68,253

131Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

54Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

147Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

114Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$68,622Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

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

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$17,354

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$75,967

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$17,354Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$28,679Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE45.2%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE89.5%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.

$40,942Year 1

$75,967Year 4

$68,253Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

3.9% 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$6,331

Estimated loan payment$246

114borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$75,967 vs. $56,278

$19,689 above 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$57,530 median wageWI estimate · 740 jobs · 27-3023-5.9% projected U.S. growth · 3.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeCommunications Teachers, Postsecondary$78,780 median wageWI estimate · 640 jobs · 25-1122+2.1% projected U.S. growth · 2.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeWriters and Authors$64,370 median wageWI estimate · 710 jobs · 27-3043-0.3% projected U.S. growth · 11.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeEditors$64,270 median wageWI estimate · 1,510 jobs · 27-3041-1.1% projected U.S. growth · 7.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFilm and Video Editors$53,430 median wageWI estimate · 240 jobs · 27-4032+3.7% projected U.S. growth · 3.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeProofreaders and Copy Markers$43,630 median wageWI estimate · 60 jobs · 43-9081-0.9% projected U.S. growth · 1.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePhotographers$42,060 median wageWI estimate · 850 jobs · 27-4021-0.7% projected U.S. growth · 10.7k openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentBroadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$40,630 median wageWI estimate · 580 jobs · 27-3011-7.6% projected U.S. growth · 2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degree

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