U.S. median for this major: $54,425.
College Scorecard field of study; 38 graduates with earnings reported. A small group, so treat this figure with caution
Median for graduates who received federal aid.
College Scorecard field of study
About 57% of median earnings 4 years out. U.S. median $24,250.
College Scorecard field of study (federal loans)
Average after grants for all families receiving federal aid. Pick your income above.
Sticker price $23,570. College Scorecard.
The University of Montana Journalism: pay against the field, and payback
Same major, other colleges
Fewer than 3 Montana colleges report earnings for this major, so there is no state median.
Median earnings 4 years after graduating; state and U.S. figures are the median of each covered college's graduates in this major. College Scorecard; calculated by EducationGuide.
Journalism nationally: jobs, pay at ages 25-34, every state →
Cost to finish and years to pay back, by income
Uses The University of Montana's school-wide net price (no college reports it by major) and this major's graduate earnings.
| Family income | Net price / yr | Cost to finish | Years to pay back |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0–30k | $13,960 | $61,564 | 4.8 years |
| $30–48k | $14,892 | $65,674 | 5.2 years |
| $48–75k | $17,180 | $75,764 | 5.9 years |
| $75–110k | $19,269 | $84,976 | 6.7 years |
| $110k+ | $20,930 | $92,301 | 7.2 years |
Cost to finish = yearly price × 4.4 years, the average time graduates took (31% finished in 4 years; students who entered fall 2017, IPEDS). Years to pay back = cost to finish ÷ the earnings gain: median earnings of Journalism graduates 4 years after graduating ($46,267) minus $33,516 for high school graduates ages 25-34 in MT (Census ACS 2020-2024), a gain of $12,751 a year. Before taxes, loan interest and earnings given up while in school. Method
College Scorecard; IPEDS Graduation Rates; U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Calculated by EducationGuide.
Careers for Journalism graduates
Reporter / journalist
Median annual wage, all workers. U.S. jobs -5.9% by 2035. Typical entry: bachelor's degree.
Editors
Median annual wage, all workers. U.S. jobs -1.1% by 2035. Typical entry: bachelor's degree.
Film and Video Editors
Median annual wage, all workers. U.S. jobs +3.7% by 2035. Typical entry: bachelor's degree.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35. Careers from the federal major-to-occupation crosswalk.
What families pay at The University of Montana, by income
School-wide average after grants for students receiving federal aid. Tap your band.
College Scorecard
About The University of Montana
- Acceptance rate: 96% · admissions
- Graduation rate: 48% within 6 years
- Median earnings, all majors, 10 years after starting: $44,511
- Full cost breakdown · all 70 majors · overview
Related majors at The University of Montana
- Communications$54,300
- Writing—
- Broadcasting / Digital Media—
- English$41,634
The University of Montana Journalism questions
How much do The University of Montana Journalism graduates earn?
Journalism graduates of The University of Montana earn a median $46,267 four years after graduating and $35,924 one year after. The U.S. median for Journalism graduates across 185 colleges is $54,425.
How much debt do The University of Montana Journalism graduates have?
The median federal loan debt for Journalism graduates of The University of Montana is $26,375, about 57% of their median earnings four years out. Nationally the median is $24,250.
Where does The University of Montana rank for Journalism in Montana?
Of 1 Montana colleges reporting Journalism graduate earnings, The University of Montana ranks 1st, the highest.
What jobs do Journalism graduates get?
A common career is reporter / journalist, with a median wage of $55,010 in the Missoula, MT area and $62,200 nationally. Others include editors and film and video editors.
Is The University of Montana the right fit for your family?
Get a free report comparing The University of Montana with up to 4 other schools on what you'd actually pay, what graduates in your major earn, and how each fits your priorities.
Build my free reportCheck my chances of getting inWe never share your contact information.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study: median earnings and federal loan debt of graduates who received federal aid); BLS. How we score
Data: JSON · Markdown · all datasets
Cite this: “The University of Montana Journalism: earnings, debt and careers,” EducationGuide.com, https://educationguide.com/colleges/the-university-of-montana/majors/journalism (College Scorecard and BLS data).