Media and Journalism Universities in the USA

A profession in journalism teaches people about essential news and information. Journalists have the potential to inspire the thinking of a country's population, whether they work for newspapers, magazines, broadcast networks, or new-age digital platforms. India is a varied country with a population that accounts for about 17.71% of the global population. There is a continuing demand for specialists in the sector in this endeavour to disseminate knowledge as widely as possible. This opens up a variety of work prospects for those interested in pursuing various journalism disciplines. There are numerous disciplines in this arena where a student can demonstrate his or her expertise, including reporting, editing, anchoring, producing, managing, and so on. Journalism colleges in the United States provide a four-year undergraduate degree and a two-year postgraduate degree. To know more about media and journalism universities in the USA, courses offered, eligibility, and more, keep reading this blog!

Highlights

Number of Media and Journalism Universities in the USA400+
Number of PG Media and Journalism Universities in the USA100+
Top Media and Journalism Courses in the USA
  • Undergraduate – B.A., B.Sc., JBA (Journalism Bachelor of Arts), JBS (Journalism Bachelor of Science).
  • Postgraduate – M.A., M.Sc., MS, M.J. (Master of Journalism).
  • Doctoral – PhD.
Top Media and Journalism Colleges in the USAStanford University, Columbia University, Northwestern University, University of California, Berkeley, New York University, University of Texas, Austin, Boston University
Average Salary after Media and Journalism in the USA110,000 USD per year (INR 87.85L)

Why Study at Media and Journalism Universities in the USA?

  • The average annual salary of a journalism college graduate in the United States is roughly $54,000 USD. Every 16 months, students can expect a 12% pay rise.
  • Jobs in media and communication occupations are expected to expand 4% from 2019 to 2029, resulting in around 46,200 new jobs.
  • The District of Columbia, New York, California, Arizona, and New Jersey are the highest-paying areas for reporters and correspondents.

Top Media and Journalism Universities in the USA with World Rankings

The United States is home to some of the world's top journalism schools (according to the QS Ranking 2022). Many international students regard the country as one of the most popular study abroad locations. The following table lists the best journalism schools in the United States:

Top Media and Journalism Universities in the USA

QS World Ranking 2022UniversityJournalism Programs
3Stanford University2 postgraduate.
19Columbia University2 postgraduate, 1 doctoral.
30Northwestern University1 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate.
32University of California, Berkeley (UCB)1 postgraduate.
42New York University (NYU)1 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate.
67University of Texas, Austin1 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate.
75University of Wisconsin-Madison2 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate.
100University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill1 postgraduate.
112Boston University2 postgraduate.
112University of Southern California1 undergraduate, 3 postgraduate, 1 doctoral.
120The Ohio State University1 doctoral.
157Michigan State University1 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate.
186University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis1 postgraduate.

Top Media and Journalism Courses in the USA with Average Salary

Job RoleAverage Salary (USD)Average Salary (INR)
Journalist50,000-55,00039.92L - 43.92L
Editor53,000-58,00042.32L - 46.31L
Photojournalist30,000-36,00023.95L-28.74L
Proofreader35,000-39,00027.94L- 31.14L
News Reporter25,000-30,00019.96L - 23.95L
Blogger25,000-28,00019.96L-22.36L
Sports Writer25,000-30,00019.96L-23.95L
Investigative Journalist35,000-43,00027.94L-34.33L
Broadcast journalist35,000-40,00027.94L-31.94L
News Producer45,000-47,00035.93L-37.53L
Staff Writer35,000-39,00027.94L-31.14L
News Editor44,000-48,00035.13L-38.33L
Copywriter45,500-55,00036.33L-43.92L
Content Manager49,500-56,50039.52L-45.12L
Communications Manager50,000-60,58239.92L-48.37L

Admission Requirements for Media and Journalism Universities in the USA

Mentioned below is the eligibility criteria and English language requirements for studying at media and journalism universities in the USA

Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduation

  • Minimum 50% aggregate marks are required in the student’s 10+2 level. 
  • Minimum ACT score of 22
  • Proof of English proficiency with the following minimum scores:
  • TOEFL (PBT): 550–650 
  • TOEFL (iBT): 79–100
  • IELTS: 6–7

Eligibility Criteria for Postgraduation

  • Undergraduate degree with minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (83% - 86%)
  • Minimum GRE score required is: 
    • Quantitative Reasoning: 153
    • Verbal Reasoning: 150
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
  • Proof of English proficiency:
    • IELTS - 6.5
    • TOEFL (iBT) -90

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Application Process

  • The application process for the Media and Journalism course will depend on the level of the course, country, and university to which you are applying.
  • The details of the application process will be available on the university website. Make sure you go through the application details carefully and check out the eligibility criteria.
  • For UG Media and Journalism courses, you can directly apply at the university website. 
  • For PG Media and Journalism Courses, you will mostly be required to directly apply through the application portal of your university.
  • You will be required to submit your personal details, academic documents and some other documents such as your SOPs, LORs, proof of financial support etc.
  • After your application is completed, you might also be required to pay an application fee.

Scholarships at Top Media and Journalism Universities in the USA

ScholarshipsAwarded ByAwarded toBenefits
Hubert Humphrey Fellowships for International Students, USAGovernment BodiesMid Career and Young ProfessionalsVariable Amount
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation ScholarshipsInlaks Shivdasani FoundationIndian Citizens100,000 USD
Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust ScholarshipsTata TrustIndian women students8365 USD
The Fulbright-Nehru Master's FellowshipsUnited States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF)Indian studentsVariable Amount
Broker Fish International student scholarshipBroker FishMeritorious International Students1000 USD, Health Insurance.
Global Scholars AwardBoston UniversityInternational StudentsUp to 5000 USD per year
American Association of University Women in USAmerican Association of University WomenInternational Women Students18000 USD
SheBegan International Scholarship for Women-International Women Students28000 USD
Young Professionals ProgramWorld Bank GroupInternational StudentsAmount Varies

FAQs

Q. What is the best school of journalism in the US?

A. Washington and Lee University

Q. Where is the best university for journalism?

A. Northwestern University

Q. How much does it cost to study journalism in USA?

A. Students should expect to pay between $47,000 and $63,000 in total tuition.

Q. How many years does it take to become a journalist in USA?

A. Four years

Q. What is the highest paying job in journalism?

A. Senior-level reporters, correspondents and news analysts are the ones most likely to attain the highest salaries in journalism.

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