Journalism
Bachelor's degree · California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA
How this program compares
Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Journalism at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo earn a median of $48,637 one year after completing the program. Nationally, bachelor's degree graduates in this field earn a median of $56,278 four years after graduating (middle half: $40,588–$73,923). Median debt is $19,500, about 40% of first-year earnings – a manageable level by common guidelines.
Journalism (Bachelor's degree) at other California schools
| College | Earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California Los Angeles | $44,651 | $15,000 |
| Pepperdine University Malibu | $42,536 | — |
| Biola University La Mirada | $41,997 | $27,000 |
| Chapman University Orange | $41,645 | $22,290 |
| California State University-Chico Chico | $35,668 | $18,618 |
| San Francisco State University San Francisco | $31,788 | $15,000 |
| University of California-Irvine Irvine | $31,102 | $17,200 |
| California State University-Sacramento Sacramento | $30,644 | $20,000 |
| California State University-Northridge Northridge | $30,564 | $14,311 |
| San Diego State University San Diego | $30,269 | $14,998 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata | $29,686 | $20,000 |
| California State University-Long Beach Long Beach | $28,844 | $15,000 |
| California Baptist University Riverside | $26,026 | $26,000 |
Other programs at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- Computer EngineeringBachelor's degree
$111,560 - Computer ScienceBachelor's degree
$111,141 - Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space EngineeringMaster's degree
$106,635 - Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsMaster's degree
$96,886 - Construction ManagementBachelor's degree
$92,785 - Mechanical EngineeringMaster's degree
$92,510 - Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringBachelor's degree
$90,576 - Biomedical/Medical EngineeringMaster's degree
$88,348 - Industrial EngineeringBachelor's degree
$87,226 - Civil EngineeringMaster's degree
$85,887 - Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space EngineeringBachelor's degree
$85,509 - Mechanical EngineeringBachelor's degree
$83,011 - Environmental/Environmental Health EngineeringBachelor's degree
$82,197 - Biomedical/Medical EngineeringBachelor's degree
$81,186 - Civil EngineeringBachelor's degree
$80,673 - Architectural EngineeringBachelor's degree
$80,481 - Industrial Production Technologies/TechniciansBachelor's degree
$78,938 - Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasMaster's degree
$78,641 - Educational Administration and SupervisionMaster's degree
$76,876 - Materials EngineeringBachelor's degree
$74,496
Frequently asked questions
How much do Journalism graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo make?
The median salary is $48,637 one year after graduation and $67,804 after five years.
How much student debt do graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $19,500.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.