Masters in Journalism in USA: Colleges, Deadlines, Requirements & Cost

Masters in Journalism in USA: Colleges, Deadlines, Requirements & Cost

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Highlights:

  • Masters in Journalism in US is taught across 50 renowned US universities like Stanford, Columbia, and Boston University.
  • The programs help you develop investigative journalism, data journalism, and broadcast journalism knowledge.
  • Graduates of MS in Journalism in USA can find jobs in traditional media like newspapers or in digital marketing and PR firms.
  • The cost of a Masters in Journalism in USA can range from USD 18,000 to 113,000.
  • The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% job growth for news analysts, reporters, and journalists from 2020 to 2030.

Masters in Journalism in USA is a postgraduate degree program with a duration of 1-2 years. The top universities in the USA offer Masters in Journalism as MA in Journalism or MS in Journalism. The US journalism industry is popular as news consumption remains high amongst its citizens. For admission to MS in Journalism in USA, most universities require a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Some top universities have a higher competitive GPA requirement. Moreover, many US colleges consider the entire application package for selection to the course. So, you can make your application stronger with a strong portfolio, relevant work experience, strong LORs, and your test scores.

A Masters in Journalism in USA can cost you between INR 14 Lakhs to 94 Lakhs. You should also factor in the cost of living in USA to be around 2,250 USD (1.83 lakhs INR). The field of journalism includes roles like anchoring, editing, managing, producing, reporting, etc. An MS in Journalism in USA provides significant returns on investment to graduates, with an average salary of 70,000 USD (57 lakhs INR). You can stand a chance to work with top recruiters like BBC, CNN, Business Insider, and the New York Times.


Best Universities for Masters in Journalism in USA

According to the QS World Rankings 2024, top universities for Masters in Journalism in USA like Stanford University, Columbia University, and UC Berkeley are ranked among the top 50 universities in the world. The best Masters in Journalism programs in the US, along with the application deadlines are as tabulated below:

QS University Rank 2024 University Program Application Deadline Tuition Fee (USD)
#5 Stanford University MA in Journalism December 3, 2024 52,912
#23 Columbia University MS in Journalism | MS in Data Journalism | MA in Journalism December 15, 2024 68,588 – 117,546
#10 University of California, Berkeley Master of Journalism December 15, 2024 36,472
#47 Northwestern University MS in Journalism August 1, 2024 53,496
#58 University of Texas, Austin MA in Journalism December 1, 2024 18,816
#102 University of Wisconsin MA in Journalism and Mass Communication December 15, 2024 25,578
#93 Boston University MS in Journalism December 1, 2024 61,050
#136 Michigan State University MA in Journalism Rolling Basis 27,792
#169 University of Maryland, College Park MA in Journalism January 17, 2025 40,714
#179 Arizona State University MMC (Master of Mass Communication) | MA in Investigative Journalism December 1, 2024 37,044

Masters in Journalism teaches students about investigating events, writing factually accurate reports, and then disseminating the information to the general public through communication channels. Best journalism schools in the US offer diverse career opportunities and an academically rich education.

Why study Masters in Journalism in USA?

The average salary after Masters in Journalism in USA can go as high as 87,200 USD (71.14 lakhs INR). The average salary given by some of the top employers for Masters in Journalism in USA is given below:

top employers for Masters in Journalism in USA

  • According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, there will be 6,000 new jobs for news analysts, reporters, and journalists, on average, over the next ten years.
  • Employment of photographers is expected to grow by 4% from 2022 to 2032.
  • The employment of writers and bloggers is expected to boost by 4% from 2022 to 2032, creating 15,500 job openings each year.
  • Job roles like marketing manager and PR specialists are ranked among the 100 Best Jobs in USA.
  • The unemployment rate of USA as of 2023 is only 3.8%, indicating abundant job opportunities for graduates of Masters in Journalism in USA.

Masters in Journalism in USA: Specializations and Subjects

Masters in Journalism in USA offers various specialisations such as data journalism, sports journalism, and investigative journalism. Some of the most common subjects covered in the curriculum of Masters in Journalism in USA are:

  • Media Criticism
  • Journalism Research
  • Editorial Design
  • Advanced Photojournalism
  • Foreign Reporting
  • Narrative Radio
  • Investigative and Project Reporting
  • Media and the Consumer
  • Communication and Public Opinion
  • Magazine Writing
  • TV Reporting
  • Video Journalism
  • Computational Journalism

Masters in Journalism in USA Requirements

The admission requirements for some of the top universities for Masters in Journalism in USA are given below:

University IELTS Score TOEFL Score Minimum GPA Additional Requirements
Stanford University 7.0 (overall) 100 (overall) 3.0 (out of 4.0) 3 samples of journalistic work, 3 Letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, resume
Columbia University 7.0 (overall) 114 (overall) 3.2 (out of 4.0) Strong writing samples, 3 letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, resume, transcripts
UC Berkeley 7.5 105 3.0 (out of 4.0) Strong portfolio, LOR, SOP, resume, (University recommends submitting GRE scores)
Northwestern University 7.0 (overall) 100 (overall) No minimum requirement Portfolio, 2 LORs, statement of purpose, resume, transcripts
University of Texas at Austin 6.5 (overall) 80 (internet-based) 3.0 (out of 4.0) Writing sample, 3 LOR, SOP, resume, official transcripts
University of Wisconsin 6.5 (overall) 80 (internet-based) 3.0 (out of 4.0) SOP, 2 LORs, Portfolio, Transcripts
Boston University 7.0 (overall) 100 (overall) 3.0 (out of 4.0) Writing sample, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, resume, transcripts

Masters in Journalism in USA Eligibility Criteria

The checklist for the basic admission eligibility criteria and Masters in Journalism in USA requirements is given below:

Parameter Minimum Requirement
Academic Requirement Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
English Proficiency Test Scores TOEFL: 100 | IELTS: 7.0
Documents Required Statement of Purpose (SOP), Personal Statement, 2-3 LORs, 2-3 journalistic work samples, Updated Resume/CV, Portfolio, Official Transcripts, Valid Passport, Student Visa

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Masters in Journalism in USA Cost

The tuition fees for Masters in Journalism in USA across some of the top universities are as follows:

University Tuition Fee (USD) Tuition Fee (INR)
Stanford University 52,912 44.1 lakhs
Columbia University 75,348 62.9 lakhs
University of California, Berkeley 36,472 30.4 lakhs
Northwestern University 53,496 44.6 lakhs
University of Texas, Austin 18,816 15.6 lakhs
University of Wisconsin 25,578 21.2 lakhs
Boston University 61,050 50.0 lakhs
Michigan State University 27,792 23.2 lakhs
University of Maryland, College Park 40,714 33.9 lakhs
Arizona State University 37,044 30.8 lakhs

MS in Journalism in US Tuition Fees

The estimated expenditure and cost of living in USA for an international student is around 1.83 lakhs INR. 


Masters in Journalism in USA Scholarships

Numerous scholarships are offered by the USA government to international students who require financial assistance to pursue a degree in Masters in Journalism in USA. Following is the list of some of the popular scholarships in USA for international students:

Scholarships Eligibility Award Details (USD)
QS Connect Master’s Scholarship Must attend a QS Event, Essay, Resume/CV, LOR, Official Transcripts 2,000
Berkeley Journalism Scholarships Merit-based 5,000-20,000 per year
Comer Scholarship Enrolled at Northwestern University, passion for environmental journalism, academic excellence Covers half of the total tuition cost
Excellence in Communication Scholarship Enrolled at Boston University, academic excellence 27,500 to 30,000 per year
Michael A. Sandra & S. Clark Scholarship Enrolled in Michigan State University, applicants planning a career in environmental journalism Variable
Fulbright Nehru Master’s Fellowships 4-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall aggregate of 55%, 3 years of relevant work experience J-1 visa support, travel allowances, coverage of tuition and fees, living and related costs, and accident and sickness
Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships Bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall aggregate of 65%, 2 LORs 100,000
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme Financial Need, academic excellence Tuition fees and living expenses coverage
 

Masters in Journalism in USA - Jobs and Salaries

Some of the most preferred job roles and positions after Masters in Journalism in USA for international students are:

Jobs Average Salary (USD) Average Salary (INR)
Content Writer 50,000 41 lakhs
News Producer 55,000 45 lakhs
Content Manager 55,000 45 lakhs
Reporter 56,000 46 lakhs
Communications Specialist 60,000 49 lakhs
Journalist 61,000 50 lakhs
News Reporter 61,000 50 lakhs
Associate Producer, Film/TV 62,000 51 lakhs
Video Producer 65,000 53 lakhs
Senior Editor 73,000 60 lakhs
Editor 78,000 64 lakhs
Marketing Director 93,000 76 lakhs

Masters in Journalism in USA Jobs and Salaries

Explore: Post-Study Work Visa in USA


Masters in Journalism in USA v/s Masters in Journalism in UK

The table below differentiates Masters in Journalism in USA and Masters in Journalism in UK based on various parameters such as admission requirements, tuition fee, average salaries, etc:

Parameters Masters in Journalism in USA Masters in Journalism in UK
Program Type Full-time, Part-time Full-time, Part-time
Program Duration 1-2 years 1 Year(Full-time), 2 Years(Part-time)
Eligibility Criteria Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university | Statement of Purpose (SOP) | Personal Statement | 2-3 LORs | 2-3 journalistic work samples | Updated Resume/CV | Portfolio | Official Transcripts A bachelor’s degree in Journalism or a related field with 60% marks
GPA GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (83-86%) 2.5 on a scale of 4 (60%-65%)
English Proficiency Requirements TOEFL: 100 | IELTS: 7.0 IELTS (6.5 or above) | TOEFL: 86
Tuition Fee Range 18,000-113,000 USD (14-94 lakhs INR) 18,000 GBP- 25,000 GBP (18-25 lakh INR)
Average Salary 73,000 USD (60.7 lakhs INR) 25,000 GBP (25 lakh INR)
Top Employers BBC News, CNN, The New York Times, Business Insider BBC, CNN, Sky News

Masters in Journalism in USA can lead to promising career opportunities with impressive salaries. Graduates can explore a range of job opportunities such as journalists, editors, news anchors, producers, and other related roles in the media industry. According to Payscale, the average salaries by popular recruiters such as Business Insider, Associated Press, and CBS News ranges from 74,000 USD to 135,000 USD (62 lakhs to 1.11 crore INR).

FAQs

Ques: Is USA good for journalism?

Ans: USA is home to some of the top universities for Masters in Journalism like Stanford University, Columbia University, and the University of California Berkeley, which are ranked among the top 50 universities in the world.

Ques: What is a journalist's salary in USA?

Ans: The average salary of a journalist in USA is 110,000 USD (89.73 lakhs INR)

Ques: Which are the best universities of journalism in the US?

Ans: The best universities for Masters in Journalism in USA are:

  • Stanford University
  • Columbia University
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • Northwestern University
  • University of Texas, Austin
  • University of Wisconsin
  • Boston University
  • Michigan State University
  • University of Maryland, College Park
  • Arizona State University

Ques: How much does it cost to study masters in journalism in USA?

Ans: Masters in Journalism in USA fees is around 18,000-113,000 USD (14-94 lakhs INR).

Ques: What are the requirements for masters in journalism in USA?

Ans: Checklist for the basic admission requirements for Masters in Journalism in USA:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • English Proficiency Test Scores: TOEFL: 100 | IELTS: 7.0
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Personal Statement
  • 2-3 LORs
  • 2-3 journalistic work samples
  • Updated Resume/CV
  • Portfolio
  • Official Transcripts
  • Valid Passport
  • Student Visa

Ques: Is there a high demand for journalists in USA?

Ans: Yes, despite a decline in the employment of journalists, there will be 6,000 new jobs for news analysts, reporters, and journalists, on average, over the next ten years. Additionally:

  • Employment of photographers is expected to grow by 4% from 2022 to 2032.
  • The employment of writers and bloggers is expected to boost by 4% from 2022 to 2032, creating 15,500 job openings each year.

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