Are there still journalism jobs?

If you enjoy researching and writing, pursuing a journalism degree might appeal to you. One question you’ll probably have is what kinds of jobs are available once you graduate.

It’s no secret that news writing jobs have declined, but other opportunities have opened up. There are also other careers a journalism degree could help you start. That’ll go a long way in answering whether a journalism degree is worth it.

A journalism degree doesn’t need to pigeonhole you into work at a news outlet. Journalism graduates can find work in several careers. It’s worth considering this if you want to play on your strengths of natural curiosity and an ability to write.

13 jobs you can get with a journalism degree (and what they pay!)

While there are fewer news reporting jobs than in the past, there are still places you can find work with a journalism degree. Here’s a list of 13 jobs and – most importantly – their median annual salaries. Some even have excellent future job growth potential.

1. Reporter ($86,290)*
2. Writer ($91,560)*
3. Editor (84,820)*
4. Photojournalist ($50,210)*
5. Videographer ($69,940)*
6. Social media manager ($64,845)**
7. Data analyst ($82,460)**
8. Public relations specialist ($78,540)*
9. Copywriter (76,412)**
10. Grant writer (66,107)**
11. Technical writer ($86,760)*
12. Content manager ($80,932)**
13. Content marketer ($59,518)**

*--Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, current as of May 2022.

**--Data from ZipRecruiter.com, current as of December 2023.

What else can you do with a degree in journalism?

Lots of exciting careers need education beyond just a bachelor’s degree. If this is where your aspirations lie, you might want to consider a journalism degree a good first step towards getting there.

Journalism degrees require skills in research, problem solving and communication. These are basic skills that will help you in other endeavors. Here are just a few of them.

• Law school: Journalism degrees are excellent first steps towards law school. Students in those programs learn to interview, research and write. Those skills are required of lawyers. Attorneys who know media law are always in demand.
• Politics: Political staffers do a lot of research and need quality communication skills. People who earn journalism degrees get training in both. So, getting a journalism degree can lead you to a career in politics. Some people who work as journalists even jump over to run for elected office.
• Academics: Not everyone with a journalism degree wants to work as a journalist. Some people will prefer to teach. Journalism degrees make a great way to start a teaching career in both K-12 and at the college level.
• Research: To get a journalism degree, you’ll learn how to research and communicate. Data journalism is one place of growth in journalism jobs. Get specialized and you can step into a new career.

How do you get a journalism degree?

Earning a journalism degree isn’t difficult. Find a school with a program and complete the requirements.

You can find programs that offer associate degrees, programs that offer bachelor’s degrees and even graduate-level programs. You’ll want to match your career goals with the program that will help you achieve them. That will also determine how long it will take to get a journalism degree.

Many journalism programs will also require that you concentrate on a specific area. Some possible concentrations that a school might offer include investigative reporting, sports media, public relations or photojournalism.

Before you pick a school, make sure that it offers the program that you want.

You’ll also want to look at a college or university’s strengths in its non-journalism courses. A journalism career will require that you communicate about topics outside your major, so you’ll want to make sure you get a well-rounded education.

How much does it cost to get a journalism degree?

Getting a degree will always vary from school to school, from state to state and whether you qualify for in-state tuition or have to pay out-of-state.

The number of credits you need to qualify for a journalism degree will also influence how much it will cost. If you go to a school with no credits, it will be much more expensive than if you transfer in with credits already earned.

If you're studying journalism, you can expect to pay between $10,085 to $37,521 to attend. That doesn’t cover room and board. If you live on campus, you can expect to pay more.

One option worth looking into is online programs. An online journalism program can cost much less than one that you need to attend in person.

It’s worth remembering that the best degree for you won’t necessarily be the least expensive. For some programs, you pay more for better instructors, access to prime internships and an alumni network that can land you your first job out of school.

Rather than look for the rock bottom price, consider your journalism degree a matter of looking at what offers the best value.

Conclusion

There are still careers in journalism, even if traditional journalism jobs appear to be declining. It’s just that the options are more diverse. What you’ll get while obtaining your degree are valuable skills in interviewing, researching and communicating.

Even if a career as a reporter doesn’t seem appealing, you can use a journalism degree as a stepping stone toward another career part. In those cases, developing the skills associated with getting a journalism degree is just the first step toward achieving your goal.

Getting a journalism degree doesn’t require any specialized training or additional credentials. Once you graduate, you’re ready to start working towards your goals.

Central Michigan University has only one of two nationally accredited programs in the state. Alumni from the program include Pulitzer Prize finalists and well-known names in journalism. There are several scholarships available, too.