Journalism at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Bachelor's degree graduates in journalism from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) earn a median of $38,051 one year after graduating and $70,829 after four years.
That is 8% below the national median of $41,407 for this degree. It ranks 123rd of 169 colleges for first-year earnings in journalism (bachelor's degree). Median debt is $15,250, about 40% of one year's earnings — roughly $173 a month on a 10-year repayment plan.
Journalism (Bachelor's degree) at Cal Poly vs. nationally
| Cal Poly | Typical college | |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings after 1 year | $38,051 | $41,407 |
| Earnings after 4 years | $70,829 | $54,717 |
| Median debt | $15,250 | $20,000 |
Compare every college for journalism (bachelor's degree) →
Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal financial aid, measured by the U.S. Department of Education from tax records. Debt is the median federal loan balance at graduation.
Other bachelor's degree programs at Cal Poly
| Program | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $129,984 | $15,000 |
| Computer Engineering | $114,472 | $17,178 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $95,254 | $20,315 |
| Construction Management | $91,503 | $18,399 |
| Industrial Engineering | $89,961 | $18,999 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $88,269 | $19,333 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $86,929 | $17,000 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $85,019 | $25,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $84,426 | $19,500 |
| Architectural Engineering | $81,271 | $21,627 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $79,657 | $16,109 |
| Civil Engineering | $79,454 | $16,667 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $78,209 | — |
| Manufacturing Engineering | $77,750 | — |
| Materials Engineering | $77,737 | $18,500 |
Cost, admission and graduation figures for the whole school: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) overview. Compare what jobs pay in your field with the Salary Finder.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Cal Poly journalism graduates make?
Graduates with a bachelor's degree in journalism from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo earn a median of $38,051 one year after graduation and $70,829 four years after.
How much debt do Cal Poly journalism graduates have?
The median federal student loan debt for this program is $15,250, about $173 a month over 10 years.