As high school seniors start their search for the right destination in order to continue their undergraduate education, students interested in journalism have many difficult decisions to make. The journalism field tends to be small and selective. There is a direct correlation between the best job opportunities upon graduation from college and the best colleges. After polling over 400 industry academics and professionals, NewsPro via their TVWeek section has posted the 10 best journalism schools in the U.S.
1. Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private university located in Syracuse, New York and was founded in 1870. The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications is recognized as one of the very best by the entire international community. The school offers eight different Bachelor degree options in areas such as Magazine, Newspaper and Photography. They also offer 13 Master’s degrees in many of the same areas as well as Public Relations and Documentary Film and History.
For students interested in research and teaching, Syracuse also provides a Doctoral program in Mass Communications. The acceptance rate is less than 10% making Syracuse one of the most competitive and selective universities in the country. Estimated Annual Tuition: $40,380.
2. Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private school located in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois and was founded in 1851. The Medill School of Journalism has distinguished themselves by producing as many as 40 Pulitzer Prize winners over the years. Aside from offering Bachelor degree programs in several different disciplines, Northwestern provides a unique opportunity for hands on reporting through their renowned residency programs. These programs offer students a chance to serve as reporters in countries such as South Africa, Qatar and Latin America.
The overall education touches all of the cutting edge aspects of journalism in the world today. The one year Master’s program offers further opportunities for hands on experiences in newsroom and production studios as part of their Global Program. Estimated Annual Tuition: $52,900.
3. University of Missouri at Columbia
University of Missouri at Columbia is a public university founded in 1839. The School of Journalism offers a Bachelor’s of Journalism degree. Students who qualify may be admitted directly into the School of Journalism. Students who don’t meet the elite standards must complete a pre-journalism curriculum in order to gain admission which usually happens after the sophomore year. Direct admission offers many advantages including automatic upper-class status plus advanced opportunities within the program. For the Master’s and Doctoral programs, students will be trained in live media facilities such as the NBC affiliate run by the university. Estimate Annual Tuition: $9,430 residents, $22,822 non-residents.
4. University of Southern California
University of Southern California is a private, non-profit university located in Los Angeles, California and was founded in 1880. The School of Journalism is currently part of the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism. They offer Bachelor’s programs in Journalism, Communications and Public Relations and Master’s degrees which are pointed at one of several specific areas of study.
The core curriculum requires that each student spend an equal of amount of time studying print, broadcast and online media in order to give the student exposure to different areas prior to choosing a targeted major. A great advantage for the school is being located in one of the most diverse and media driven cities in the world. Estimated Annual Tuition: $52,813.
5. Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public state run university located in Tempe and was founded in 1885. The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication maintains its focus on cutting edge technology in Journalism with programs such as the one referred to as “Drone Journalism.” The Journalism School operates out of the Phoenix campus and offers a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and a Master’s in Mass Communication.
The school also offer a Doctoral program is Mass Communications which was developed and offered for the first time in 2011. For hands on experience, the school manages the State Press, Sun Devil Television, KASC and The Downtown Devil media sources. Estimated Annual Tuition: $11,000 residents, $25,000 non-resident.
6. New York University
New York University is a private school founded in 1831 and located in New York City. The Department of Journalism and Mass Communications offers Bachelor Of Arts degrees in 10 difference areas of study. They also offer extensive Master’s programs designed to integrate with the global media market found in New York City.
The overall university is heavily invested in the liberal arts and the course curriculum found in the Journalism program is influenced by that directive. The students are required to spend a great deal of time gaining hands on experience by working with local media outlets as well as spending time abroad learning different perspectives to journalism throughout the world. Estimated Annual Tuition: $42,500.
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public university that was founded in 1789 making it one of the oldest schools of higher education in the country. The School of Journalism and Mass Communication emphasizes a balance between ethics and writing skills necessary for Journalism as well as the modern day technology evolving in the field. The school offers Bachelor’s degrees in 10 different areas such as Sports Journalism, Business Journalism and Photo Journalism.
They also offer two Master’s programs (M.A. in Mass Communication, M.A. in Technology and Communication (MATC)) plus a PhD in Mass Communication. Estimated Annual Tuition: $8,300 residents, $30,100 non-residents.
8. George Washington University
George Washington University is a private university located in Washington D.C. The School of Media and Public Affairs is located under the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and is one of the more popular Journalism schools for individuals with an interest in politics and government due to its location in the nation’s capital.
The school offers two Bachelor of Arts programs (Mass Communications, Political Communications) and two Master’s programs (Master of Arts in Global Communication, Master of Arts in Media and Public Affairs). A PhD can be obtained through an affiliation with the Department of Political Science. Estimated Annual Tuition: $47,300
9. Indiana University
Indiana University is a public school located in Bloomington and was founded in 1820. The School of Journalism offers a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. At the Indianapolis campus, a concentration on sports journalism and public relations is offered. The Master’s program offers students the flexibility to design their post graduate course work in such a fashion that they can direct their studies into one of several specializations such as digital journalism.
The entire Journalism program puts a strong emphasis ethics and on reporting in a world of ever changing technology. Estimated Annual Tuition: $10,209 residents, $32,350 non-residents.
10. Ohio University
Ohio University is a public school with their home campus located in Athens. The school was founded in 1804. The E. W. Scripps School of Journalism offers two undergraduate paths, News & Information which focuses on newspaper and magazine journalism and Strategic Communication which focuses on public relations and advertising. The school stresses the importance of the First Amendment and helps students prepare to meet the journalistic needs created by cutting edge technology.
The Journalism department received their accreditation from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Estimated Annual Tuition: $11,380 residents, $19,344 non-resident.