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What college is best for journalism? And how do you ensure your application stands out? Read on to learn more about some of the nation’s top journalism schools.
You may consider majoring in journalism if you’re an aspiring reporter, writer, and editor. Journalism studies have become increasingly interdisciplinary as mass media and communications advance with technology. It’s a field where you can gain meaningful experience before graduation.
Our guide can help you kickstart your school research to find the best journalism programs. Read on to build your college list based on factors that matter most to you in a journalism program!
Journalism has evolved with the digital era, allowing you to pursue various careers with a degree. So, what schools are good for journalism? Our list of the eight best journalism schools focuses on undergraduate journalism programs.
CollegeRank rates the best journalism schools in the country based on affordability, program accreditation, and potential salary after graduation. Below we’ll break down the top undergraduate journalism programs.
Degree: Bachelor of Journalism
Source: UTexas at Austin
The School of Journalism and Media at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin started in 1914. Its journalism program has grown into the largest of its kind in Texas and is the best journalism program on our list.
The faculty is known “for its hands-on approach in teaching, mentoring and editing to provide students with both the sensibilities and the skills to be complete journalists and valuable contributors to an open, democratic society.”
Notable classes offered include:
You can join organizations such as ORANGE and the UT National Association of Hispanic Journalists (UTHJ). ORANGE is UT’s student-run magazine, where students work in all aspects: from advertising and editorial to production and writing to finances and public relations.
UTHJ supports Hispanic student journalists, and members can participate in a mentorship program, multimedia workshops, internships, and professional development.
You can submit the ApplyTexas application or the Common Application. You’ll need to pay the $75 application fee and submit application materials, such as:
Standardized test scores are optional, but you can still send them if you want to. Other optional documents you can submit include an expanded resume and up to two letters of recommendation.
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Source: UF College of Journalism
The College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida (UF) was established in 1925. Students learn interviewing, writing, multimedia/visuals, and broadcasting skills.
You can focus your studies on journalism or sports and media to gain a foundation in reporting, writing, public records, and more. You can also choose a two-course specialization in your interest area, such as:
The sports and media specialization emphasizes sports-related coursework, though the curriculum is rooted in traditional journalism.
The University of Florida also has several student organizations, such as the Florida Magazine Student Association, dedicated to serving the needs of students who want to pursue a career in magazine writing, editing, designing, and publishing. The Tower Yearbook documents memories and captures moments for the UF community.
To apply to UF, you can submit the Coalition or Common Application. Required application materials include:
UF has no preference for either test and considers the most competitive score for admission. Your test scores will be superscored, meaning your highest subsection scores across multiple test dates for the same exam are combined.
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Source: Philip Merrill College of Journalism
The Philip Merrill College of Journalism is located near Washington, D.C., and aims to educate and prepare journalists and media scholars for fulfilling careers. The school offers three specializations for undergraduate students:
If any of these specializations interest you, you must obtain nine to 18 credits in related courses (depending on your course combination) to earn your specialization. Elective class options as part of the core requirement include:
Merrill College offers numerous organizations for students to immerse themselves in journalism from day one:
There are many other organizations and initiatives to choose from, including the student-run radio station, WMUC Radio.
If Merrill College sounds like the right fit for you, the school recommends applying before the early action deadline to receive priority consideration for admission. You can apply through the Common App. Admissions requirements include:
You can choose whether or not you want to submit SAT or ACT scores for consideration.
Degree: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Source: UW - Madison
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication is one of the nation’s best and earliest communication programs. The journalism school blends training, theoretical learning, and real-world practice in its competitive program.
You can choose between the Strategic Communication track or Reporting track. Some notable classes include:
UW Madison has many student publications and media organizations. The Badger Herald is one of the nation’s largest, fully independent student daily newspapers, and students with all experience levels can join.
WSUM is UW Madison’s student radio station broadcasting on 91.7 FM, where you can get involved in news, sports, programming, promotions, and audio journalism.
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication doesn’t offer direct admission for first-year students. You can apply as an upperclassman if you demonstrate written communication skills and have some journalism-related experience (student media organizations can fulfill this requirement).
To apply, you’ll need to submit a personal statement, resume, two writing samples, and a PDF of your transcript at UW Madison.
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Journalism
The College of Media at the University of Illinois allows students to gain real-world journalism experience in small classes that are “in effect, working newsrooms.” You can pursue five different interest areas, including:
The University of Illinois prides itself in blending the best of both worlds: one-on-one mentoring mixed with a large research university’s resources and opportunities. Course offerings include:
The College of Media offers numerous ways for journalism students to get involved and gain valuable real-world experiences. You can work for various online publications such as Odyssey or join the student-produced UI7 News newcast, to name a few.
You can apply using the Common App or the university’s online application portal. Application requirements include your:
The University of Illinois doesn’t accept recommendation letters and has a test-optional policy. You can apply without SAT or ACT scores if you wish!
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Source: Ohio University
The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism aims to prepare students for journalism’s ever-changing landscape, including jobs that may not even exist yet. The school emphasizes professional excellence, critical thinking, and social responsibility: essentials for the future journalist.
There are three major tracks journalism students can pursue:
Remember, the best journalism major colleges have to offer are the ones that align with your interests.
A key part of Ohio University’s journalism degree is hands-on experience. All students complete an adviser-approved internship and can participate in various on-campus/local opportunities.
To apply to Ohio University, you must apply through the Common App and provide:
Although not a requirement, Ohio University recommends you submit an essay explaining how you want to shape the future of journalism.
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Source: UNC Hussman
The UNC Hussman School of Journalism prepares students for careers in journalism, advertising, communications, and other related fields. The Media and Journalism major allows students to choose one of two study areas: Advertising and Public Relations or Journalism.
Some core courses you’ll take at UNC Hussman include:
UNC Hussman is also well known for its Bloomberg-UNC-Berkeley Business Journalism Diversity Program. The program shows how business journalists report on current issues, the economy, global stock markets, and more.
Multiple student organizations at Hussman cater to any future journalist’s special interests. For example, broadcast journalist fans can join the TV newscast Carolina Week, whereas those interested in experimental news can check out the Reese Innovation Lab.
You can apply to UNC through the Common App. You must include the following as part of your application:
You can choose whether or not you want to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Source: ASU
The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication is regarded as one of the best colleges for journalism majors. The school offers many undergraduate degree programs:
The school operates Arizona PBS, one of the country’s largest public TV stations. Students can pursue various immersive learning opportunities through Arizona PBS, making it a “testing ground” for new journalistic approaches, techniques, and hands-on experiences. Some of the school’s professional immersive learning programs include:
Cronkite offers many organizations and opportunities for students to get involved, including the NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, Blaze Radio, and The Cut Network.
You can apply through ASU’s portal or the Common App. Application requirements include:
You can choose to submit SAT or ACT scores, but ASU is test-optional.
The journalism schools on this list vary in acceptance rates and competitiveness. These tips can help you get into your desired schools, no matter which ones you apply to.
Remember that this list is a starting point for you to build your college list. When evaluating journalism schools, you should check the curriculum, professors, student media organizations, and local opportunities.
Ensure you consider the college as a whole, admissions requirements, location, finances, and how you envision yourself fitting with the school’s culture.
Get some writing experience before going to college, if possible. You can:
Participating in various activities shows you’re a well-rounded, passionate student with experience in the major you want to pursue.
Your admission essays are crucial to demonstrate your personality to the admissions committee. Many schools require at least one essay in their applications, so you need to know how to stand out.
Beyond showing off your personality and experiences, consider your essays a litmus test for your writing and communication abilities. Journalism careers require effective communication and adept writing skills; don’t miss your chance to show your aptitude!
Evaluate average GPAs and test scores of the incoming class at your prospective schools. Your application will be more competitive if your scores are at or higher than the middle 50% range.
Though most schools in this list have adopted a test-optional policy for at least the next year, you can submit high scores to be a more competitive applicant at the best journalism universities.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for news analysts, reporters, and journalists was approximately $48,370 annually.
The median annual wages for news analysts, reporters, and journalists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Despite a projected 9% decline in employment from 2021 to 2031, there will be an average of 4,900 job openings each year for news analysts, reporters, and journalists over the next decade. These openings will mainly result from the need to replace retiring or transitioning workers.
If you still have questions about the number one journalism schools, read on to learn more!
You don’t necessarily need a degree to work in journalism: there’s no education level required. However, attending one of the country’s top journalism undergraduate programs can make it much easier to break into the industry.
The School of Journalism and Media at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin is ranked as the number one journalism school. However, there are many colleges good for journalism majors: review each school’s offerings to determine which is best for you.
Undergraduate journalism programs can be a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Journalism. The degree requirements depend on which school you attend, but journalism programs require 120 credit hours of communications and journalism courses and electives.
Whether or not journalism is a good major depends on your career goals and interests. If you love writing, keeping up with current events, or are interested in radio or TV, journalism might be for you.
You can pursue many careers because the writing, communication, and critical thinking skills you learn in journalism are highly sought after. The most popular career path is to be a news writer and reporter. Still, you can go into editing, content management, photography, public relations, production, and other fields.
You should first consider how well a journalism program fits your career goals. The best journalism program is always the one that caters to your interests most. A college may be highly ranked, but you can look elsewhere if it doesn’t have enough classes or internship opportunities relating to your interests.
You should research the curriculum at each school, the professors, the campus, and local opportunities to gain experience.
One of the best things you can do is get as much journalism experience as possible. Look for opportunities in writing, editing, photography, videography, podcasting, and other media forms. Various extracurriculars show admissions committees that you’re passionate about your major.
As with any school, you should keep your GPA up and prepare well for standardized tests.
Journalism degrees prepare you by teaching versatile skills, such as critical thinking, writing, editing, interviewing, and multimedia production. Now that you know more about the best journalism programs, you can determine which is right for you.
Remember that you should look for opportunities to gain hands-on experience during college. Journalism requires you to have as much professional experience as possible, and any of these schools can provide those resources. Good luck!
What college is best for journalism? And how do you ensure your application stands out? Read on to learn more about some of the nation’s top journalism schools.
You may consider majoring in journalism if you’re an aspiring reporter, writer, and editor. Journalism studies have become increasingly interdisciplinary as mass media and communications advance with technology. It’s a field where you can gain meaningful experience before graduation.
Our guide can help you kickstart your school research to find the best journalism programs. Read on to build your college list based on factors that matter most to you in a journalism program!
Journalism has evolved with the digital era, allowing you to pursue various careers with a degree. So, what schools are good for journalism? Our list of the eight best journalism schools focuses on undergraduate journalism programs.
CollegeRank rates the best journalism schools in the country based on affordability, program accreditation, and potential salary after graduation. Below we’ll break down the top undergraduate journalism programs.
Degree: Bachelor of Journalism
Source: UTexas at Austin
The School of Journalism and Media at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin started in 1914. Its journalism program has grown into the largest of its kind in Texas and is the best journalism program on our list.
The faculty is known “for its hands-on approach in teaching, mentoring and editing to provide students with both the sensibilities and the skills to be complete journalists and valuable contributors to an open, democratic society.”
Notable classes offered include:
You can join organizations such as ORANGE and the UT National Association of Hispanic Journalists (UTHJ). ORANGE is UT’s student-run magazine, where students work in all aspects: from advertising and editorial to production and writing to finances and public relations.
UTHJ supports Hispanic student journalists, and members can participate in a mentorship program, multimedia workshops, internships, and professional development.
You can submit the ApplyTexas application or the Common Application. You’ll need to pay the $75 application fee and submit application materials, such as:
Standardized test scores are optional, but you can still send them if you want to. Other optional documents you can submit include an expanded resume and up to two letters of recommendation.
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Source: UF College of Journalism
The College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida (UF) was established in 1925. Students learn interviewing, writing, multimedia/visuals, and broadcasting skills.
You can focus your studies on journalism or sports and media to gain a foundation in reporting, writing, public records, and more. You can also choose a two-course specialization in your interest area, such as:
The sports and media specialization emphasizes sports-related coursework, though the curriculum is rooted in traditional journalism.
The University of Florida also has several student organizations, such as the Florida Magazine Student Association, dedicated to serving the needs of students who want to pursue a career in magazine writing, editing, designing, and publishing. The Tower Yearbook documents memories and captures moments for the UF community.
To apply to UF, you can submit the Coalition or Common Application. Required application materials include:
UF has no preference for either test and considers the most competitive score for admission. Your test scores will be superscored, meaning your highest subsection scores across multiple test dates for the same exam are combined.
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Source: Philip Merrill College of Journalism
The Philip Merrill College of Journalism is located near Washington, D.C., and aims to educate and prepare journalists and media scholars for fulfilling careers. The school offers three specializations for undergraduate students:
If any of these specializations interest you, you must obtain nine to 18 credits in related courses (depending on your course combination) to earn your specialization. Elective class options as part of the core requirement include:
Merrill College offers numerous organizations for students to immerse themselves in journalism from day one:
There are many other organizations and initiatives to choose from, including the student-run radio station, WMUC Radio.
If Merrill College sounds like the right fit for you, the school recommends applying before the early action deadline to receive priority consideration for admission. You can apply through the Common App. Admissions requirements include:
You can choose whether or not you want to submit SAT or ACT scores for consideration.
Degree: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Source: UW - Madison
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication is one of the nation’s best and earliest communication programs. The journalism school blends training, theoretical learning, and real-world practice in its competitive program.
You can choose between the Strategic Communication track or Reporting track. Some notable classes include:
UW Madison has many student publications and media organizations. The Badger Herald is one of the nation’s largest, fully independent student daily newspapers, and students with all experience levels can join.
WSUM is UW Madison’s student radio station broadcasting on 91.7 FM, where you can get involved in news, sports, programming, promotions, and audio journalism.
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication doesn’t offer direct admission for first-year students. You can apply as an upperclassman if you demonstrate written communication skills and have some journalism-related experience (student media organizations can fulfill this requirement).
To apply, you’ll need to submit a personal statement, resume, two writing samples, and a PDF of your transcript at UW Madison.
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Journalism
The College of Media at the University of Illinois allows students to gain real-world journalism experience in small classes that are “in effect, working newsrooms.” You can pursue five different interest areas, including:
The University of Illinois prides itself in blending the best of both worlds: one-on-one mentoring mixed with a large research university’s resources and opportunities. Course offerings include:
The College of Media offers numerous ways for journalism students to get involved and gain valuable real-world experiences. You can work for various online publications such as Odyssey or join the student-produced UI7 News newcast, to name a few.
You can apply using the Common App or the university’s online application portal. Application requirements include your:
The University of Illinois doesn’t accept recommendation letters and has a test-optional policy. You can apply without SAT or ACT scores if you wish!
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Source: Ohio University
The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism aims to prepare students for journalism’s ever-changing landscape, including jobs that may not even exist yet. The school emphasizes professional excellence, critical thinking, and social responsibility: essentials for the future journalist.
There are three major tracks journalism students can pursue:
Remember, the best journalism major colleges have to offer are the ones that align with your interests.
A key part of Ohio University’s journalism degree is hands-on experience. All students complete an adviser-approved internship and can participate in various on-campus/local opportunities.
To apply to Ohio University, you must apply through the Common App and provide:
Although not a requirement, Ohio University recommends you submit an essay explaining how you want to shape the future of journalism.
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Source: UNC Hussman
The UNC Hussman School of Journalism prepares students for careers in journalism, advertising, communications, and other related fields. The Media and Journalism major allows students to choose one of two study areas: Advertising and Public Relations or Journalism.
Some core courses you’ll take at UNC Hussman include:
UNC Hussman is also well known for its Bloomberg-UNC-Berkeley Business Journalism Diversity Program. The program shows how business journalists report on current issues, the economy, global stock markets, and more.
Multiple student organizations at Hussman cater to any future journalist’s special interests. For example, broadcast journalist fans can join the TV newscast Carolina Week, whereas those interested in experimental news can check out the Reese Innovation Lab.
You can apply to UNC through the Common App. You must include the following as part of your application:
You can choose whether or not you want to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Source: ASU
The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication is regarded as one of the best colleges for journalism majors. The school offers many undergraduate degree programs:
The school operates Arizona PBS, one of the country’s largest public TV stations. Students can pursue various immersive learning opportunities through Arizona PBS, making it a “testing ground” for new journalistic approaches, techniques, and hands-on experiences. Some of the school’s professional immersive learning programs include:
Cronkite offers many organizations and opportunities for students to get involved, including the NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, Blaze Radio, and The Cut Network.
You can apply through ASU’s portal or the Common App. Application requirements include:
You can choose to submit SAT or ACT scores, but ASU is test-optional.
The journalism schools on this list vary in acceptance rates and competitiveness. These tips can help you get into your desired schools, no matter which ones you apply to.
Remember that this list is a starting point for you to build your college list. When evaluating journalism schools, you should check the curriculum, professors, student media organizations, and local opportunities.
Ensure you consider the college as a whole, admissions requirements, location, finances, and how you envision yourself fitting with the school’s culture.
Get some writing experience before going to college, if possible. You can:
Participating in various activities shows you’re a well-rounded, passionate student with experience in the major you want to pursue.
Your admission essays are crucial to demonstrate your personality to the admissions committee. Many schools require at least one essay in their applications, so you need to know how to stand out.
Beyond showing off your personality and experiences, consider your essays a litmus test for your writing and communication abilities. Journalism careers require effective communication and adept writing skills; don’t miss your chance to show your aptitude!
Evaluate average GPAs and test scores of the incoming class at your prospective schools. Your application will be more competitive if your scores are at or higher than the middle 50% range.
Though most schools in this list have adopted a test-optional policy for at least the next year, you can submit high scores to be a more competitive applicant at the best journalism universities.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for news analysts, reporters, and journalists was approximately $48,370 annually.
The median annual wages for news analysts, reporters, and journalists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Despite a projected 9% decline in employment from 2021 to 2031, there will be an average of 4,900 job openings each year for news analysts, reporters, and journalists over the next decade. These openings will mainly result from the need to replace retiring or transitioning workers.
If you still have questions about the number one journalism schools, read on to learn more!
You don’t necessarily need a degree to work in journalism: there’s no education level required. However, attending one of the country’s top journalism undergraduate programs can make it much easier to break into the industry.
The School of Journalism and Media at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin is ranked as the number one journalism school. However, there are many colleges good for journalism majors: review each school’s offerings to determine which is best for you.
Undergraduate journalism programs can be a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Journalism. The degree requirements depend on which school you attend, but journalism programs require 120 credit hours of communications and journalism courses and electives.
Whether or not journalism is a good major depends on your career goals and interests. If you love writing, keeping up with current events, or are interested in radio or TV, journalism might be for you.
You can pursue many careers because the writing, communication, and critical thinking skills you learn in journalism are highly sought after. The most popular career path is to be a news writer and reporter. Still, you can go into editing, content management, photography, public relations, production, and other fields.
You should first consider how well a journalism program fits your career goals. The best journalism program is always the one that caters to your interests most. A college may be highly ranked, but you can look elsewhere if it doesn’t have enough classes or internship opportunities relating to your interests.
You should research the curriculum at each school, the professors, the campus, and local opportunities to gain experience.
One of the best things you can do is get as much journalism experience as possible. Look for opportunities in writing, editing, photography, videography, podcasting, and other media forms. Various extracurriculars show admissions committees that you’re passionate about your major.
As with any school, you should keep your GPA up and prepare well for standardized tests.
Journalism degrees prepare you by teaching versatile skills, such as critical thinking, writing, editing, interviewing, and multimedia production. Now that you know more about the best journalism programs, you can determine which is right for you.
Remember that you should look for opportunities to gain hands-on experience during college. Journalism requires you to have as much professional experience as possible, and any of these schools can provide those resources. Good luck!
