Best colleges for Journalism in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, University of Southern California leads: its Journalism graduates earn a median $79,776 four years after finishing, against the field's $56,278 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California | $79,776 | +$23,498 |
| 2 | Chapman University | $79,135 | +$22,857 |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $70,829 | +$14,551 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Journalism?
By graduate earnings, University of Southern California — its Journalism bachelor's graduates earn a median $79,776 four years out, the highest of the 3 California programs in the federal file.
What do Journalism graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $70,829 to $79,776. The field's national median is $56,278.
Is a Journalism degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Journalism graduates earn $7,918/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.