Publishing: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring professionals in the dynamic world of content dissemination, this program equips learners with the strategic and operational expertise needed to oversee the full lifecycle of publishing—from conceptualization to global distribution. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of both traditional print and digital publishing ecosystems, preparing them to lead in editorial, technical, and business domains within diverse media environments.
- Product planning and design: Develops skills in conceptualizing and structuring content formats tailored to target audiences and delivery platforms.
- Editing and copy development: Focuses on refining written content for clarity, accuracy, tone, and publication readiness across genres and formats.
- Author relations and project coordination: Teaches effective communication, negotiation, and collaboration strategies with writers and contributors throughout the publishing process.
- Business and copyright law: Explores legal frameworks governing intellectual property rights, licensing, permissions, and compliance in publishing.
- Publishing industry operations: Provides insight into organizational structures, workflow management, and operational workflows within publishing houses and independent presses.
- Contracting and purchasing: Covers the negotiation and management of agreements, rights acquisition, and supply chain logistics for print and digital production.
- Product marketing and audience development: Builds expertise in promoting publications through targeted campaigns, digital outreach, and market analysis.
- Electronic publishing and digital commerce: Examines tools, platforms, and strategies for delivering content via e-books, online journals, and subscription services.
- History of publishing: Traces the evolution of publishing from early print traditions to modern digital transformations and emerging technologies.
- Professional standards and ethics: Emphasizes integrity, accountability, and responsible practices in editorial judgment, representation, and content stewardship.
Publishing Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Publishing Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Publishing degrees, including Editors. 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 95,480 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Editors 27-3041 | $75,260 | $36,200 - $140,840 | 95,480 | $36.18 |
Publishing Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $28,860 in Texas to $98,620 in New York—a 242% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, Delaware, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 95,480 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 Publishing by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 26 institutions offering Publishing 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 Publishing is found at George Washington University (GW) (49 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU) (45 graduates), New York University (NYU) (40 graduates), Emerson College (39 graduates), and Pace University (27 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 340 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington University (GW) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
49 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
40 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Emerson College |
Master's
|
39 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emerson.edu |
| Pace University |
Master's
|
27 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
24 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Master's
|
22 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Other Award
|
13 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| CUNY City College (CCNY) |
Other Award
|
13 | New York, New York | Public | ccny.cuny.edu |
| Susquehanna University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania | Private | susqu.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| The Master's University and Seminary (TMU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Santa Clarita, California | Private | masters.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
7 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| University of Houston (UHV) |
Master's
|
6 | Victoria, Texas | Public | uhv.edu |
| Rosemont College |
Master's
|
5 | Rosemont, Pennsylvania | Private | rosemont.edu |
| McDaniel College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Westminster, Maryland | Private | mcdaniel.edu |
| Northampton County Area Community College (NCC) |
Residency
|
3 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Public | northampton.edu |
| Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU) |
Master's
|
3 | Nacogdoches, Texas | Public | sfasu.edu |
| Lewis-Clark State College (LC State) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lewiston, Idaho | Public | lcsc.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
2 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Cornerstone University (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | cornerstone.edu |
| Hastings College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Hastings, Nebraska | Private | hastings.edu |
| Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Espanola, New Mexico | Public | nnmc.edu |
| St Bonaventure University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Bonaventure, New York | Private | sbu.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Publishing programs
How much can I earn with a Publishing degree?
Salaries for Publishing graduates vary by role and location. Editors earn a median of $75,260 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $98,620 compared to $28,860 in Texas. Approximately 95,480 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 Publishing programs?
Currently 26 accredited institutions offer Publishing degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include George Washington University (GW) (49 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU) (45 graduates), and New York University (NYU) (40 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 Publishing growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 158 in 2010 to 340 in 2023-24. This represents a 115% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Publishing degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Editors. Related occupations employ approximately 95,480 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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