Broadcast Journalism: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Broadcast Journalism equips students with the technical, creative, and ethical foundations needed to produce and deliver news across radio, television, and digital video platforms. This program emphasizes real-world application, preparing graduates for dynamic careers in newsrooms, production studios, and media organizations by combining storytelling excellence with industry-standard production practices.
- Broadcast Technology Principles: Explores the hardware, software, and systems that power modern audio and video transmission, including live streaming, signal processing, and digital workflows.
- Broadcast Reporting: Develops skills in sourcing, verifying, and crafting compelling news stories for on-air delivery, with attention to accuracy, timeliness, and audience engagement.
- On- and Off-Camera Performance: Teaches techniques for effective presentation, vocal clarity, body language, and microphone handling to ensure professional delivery in front of the camera or in voice-over roles.
- Audio and Video Editing: Provides hands-on training in post-production tools for refining sound quality, synchronizing footage, and assembling polished broadcast segments.
- Program Design and Production: Focuses on structuring news broadcasts, managing timelines, and coordinating multiple production elements to deliver cohesive and impactful content.
- Media Law and Policy: Examines legal frameworks governing broadcast content, including defamation, copyright, FCC regulations, and the balance between free expression and public interest.
- Professional Ethics and Standards: Reinforces accountability, fairness, transparency, and integrity in journalism, ensuring responsible decision-making in high-pressure media environments.
Broadcast Journalism Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Broadcast Journalism Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Broadcast Journalism degrees, including Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, Editors and Writers and Authors. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 237,970 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1122 | $77,800 | $47,100 - $160,210 | 29,260 | N/A |
| Editors 27-3041 | $75,260 | $36,200 - $140,840 | 95,480 | $36.18 |
| Writers and Authors 27-3043 | $72,270 | $41,080 - $133,680 | 47,800 | $34.75 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists 27-3023 | $60,280 | $34,590 - $162,430 | 41,550 | $28.98 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys 27-3011 | $45,680 | $26,000 - $131,780 | 23,880 | $21.96 |
Broadcast Journalism Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $43,224 in Arkansas to $96,780 in District of Columbia—a 124% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 237,970 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Broadcast Journalism by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 54 institutions offering Broadcast Journalism programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Broadcast Journalism is found at Syracuse University (113 graduates), University of Oklahoma (OU), Norman Campus (62 graduates), Northern Kentucky University (NKU) (39 graduates), University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln (37 graduates), and University of North Texas (UNT) (37 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 757 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
113 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
62 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Northern Kentucky University (NKU) |
Bachelor's
|
39 | Highland Heights, Kentucky | Public | nku.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Chapman University |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| SUNY Brockport |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Brockport, New York | Public | brockport.edu |
| Onondaga Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
24 | Syracuse, New York | Public | sunyocc.edu |
| Morgan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | morgan.edu |
| Ocean County College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
21 | Toms River, New Jersey | Public | ocean.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
|
17 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| Dean College |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Franklin, Massachusetts | Private | dean.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Plattsburgh, New York | Public | plattsburgh.edu |
| University of Scranton |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | scranton.edu |
| New York Film Academy (NYFA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Burbank, California | Private | nyfa.edu |
| Long Beach City College (LBCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Long Beach, California | Public | lbcc.edu |
| Rust College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Holly Springs, Mississippi | Private | rustcollege.edu |
| Cameron University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Lawton, Oklahoma | Public | cameron.edu |
| Widener University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Chester, Pennsylvania | Private | widener.edu |
| The University of Olivet |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Olivet, Michigan | Private | uolivet.edu |
| Langston University (LU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Langston, Oklahoma | Public | langston.edu |
| Gonzaga University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Spokane, Washington | Private | gonzaga.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
| Washtenaw Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | wccnet.edu |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Moorhead, Minnesota | Public | mnstate.edu |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| Utah Tech University (UT) |
Other Award
|
5 | Saint George, Utah | Public | utahtech.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Other Award
|
4 | Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| Oakwood University (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Huntsville, Alabama | Private | www2.oakwood.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| St Bonaventure University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Saint Bonaventure, New York | Private | sbu.edu |
| Bloomfield College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bloomfield, New Jersey | Private | bloomfield.edu |
| Point Park University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | pointpark.edu |
| North Greenville University (NGU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Tigerville, South Carolina | Private | ngu.edu |
| Southern Adventist University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Collegedale, Tennessee | Private | southern.edu |
| West Texas A & M University (WTAMU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Canyon, Texas | Public | wtamu.edu |
| San Diego City College |
Associate's
|
1 | San Diego, California | Public | sdcity.edu |
| San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) |
Other Award
|
1 | San Bernardino, California | Public | valleycollege.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Lansing Community College (LCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Lansing, Michigan | Public | lcc.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| Evangel University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | evangel.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Johnson University (JU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Private | johnsonu.edu |
| Union University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Jackson, Tennessee | Private | uu.edu |
| South Plains College |
Associate's
|
1 | Levelland, Texas | Public | southplainscollege.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Broadcast Journalism programs
How much can I earn with a Broadcast Journalism degree?
Salaries for Broadcast Journalism graduates vary by role and location. Communications Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $77,800 annually, while Editors earn around $75,260. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $96,780 compared to $43,224 in Arkansas. Approximately 237,970 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Broadcast Journalism programs?
Currently 54 accredited institutions offer Broadcast Journalism degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Syracuse University (113 graduates), University of Oklahoma (OU), Norman Campus (62 graduates), and Northern Kentucky University (NKU) (39 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Broadcast Journalism growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,132 in 2010 to a peak of 920 in 2020, before declining slightly to 757 in 2023-24. This represents a 33% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Broadcast Journalism degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, Editors, and Writers and Authors. Related occupations employ approximately 237,970 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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