Masters in Journalism in USA is a postgraduate degree program which can take 1-2 years to complete. The top universities in USA offer degree titles such as MA in Journalism and MS in Journalism. Depending on the university or college offering Masters in Journalism in USA, the total program may cost between 19,786-91,575 USD (16.13-74.67 lakhs INR).

Students wishing to pursue Master in Journalism in USA should expect the cost of living in USA to be around 2,250 USD (1.83 lakhs INR). They can also take advantage of the various scholarships available in USA to take care of their financial needs and issues.

Masters in Journalism in USA: Highlights

Degree Types MA in Journalism | MS in Journalism
Course Duration 1-2 years
Program Types Part-Time, Full-Time
Intake Seasons Fall, Spring
Admission requirements Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale | Statement of Purpose (SOP) | Personal Statement | 2-3 LORs | 2-3 journalistic work samples | Updated Resume/CV | Portfolio | Official Transcripts
English Proficiency TOEFL: 100 | IELTS: 7.0
Tuition Fee 19,786-91,575 USD (16.13-74.67 lakhs INR)
Average Salary 70,000 USD (57 lakhs INR)
Top Recruiters BBC News, CNN, The New York Times, Business Insider

Masters in Journalism in USA: Top Universities

The top universities offering Masters in Journalism in USA, along with the application deadlines and tuition fees are tabulated below:

University Program Application Deadline Tuition Fee (USD)
Stanford University MA in Journalism December 6, 2022 (applications closed) 56,487
Columbia University MS in Journalism | MS in Data Journalism | MA in Journalism December 15, 2022 (applications closed) | January 6, 2023 74,624 | 111,935 | 67,926
University of California, Berkeley Master of Journalism Round 1: December 15, 2022 | Round 2: February 1, 2023 (applications closed) 23,400
Northwestern University MS in Journalism Summer: May 2, 2023 | Fall: May 30, 2023 69,932
University of Texas, Austin MA in Journalism December 1, 2023 19,786
University of Wisconsin MA in Journalism and Mass Communication Fall: December 15, 2022 (applications closed) | Spring: April 15, 2023 51,000
Boston University MS in Journalism January 5, 2023 (applications closed) 91,575
Michigan State University MA in Journalism Rolling Basis 51,274
University of Maryland, College Park MA in Journalism February 3, 2023 (applications closed) 53,070
Arizona State University MMC (Master of Mass Communication) MA in Sports Journalism | MA in Investigative Journalism January 15, 2023 (applications closed) 39,345

What is a Masters in Journalism?

Masters in Journalism is a 2 year postgraduate degree which includes specialisations concentrating on how the general public accesses information. It teaches students about investigating events, writing factually accurate reports, and then disseminating the information to the general public through a variety of communication channels.

The masters in journalism course also imparts crucial knowledge for working in media organisations, including strong oral and written communication abilities, research and critical thinking abilities, as well as an ethical and responsible outlook.

Why study Masters in Journalism in USA?

  • According to the QS World Rankings 2023, the 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 average salary after Masters in Journalism in USA can go as high as 87,200 USD (71.14 lakhs INR)
  • According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, there will be 4,900 new jobs for news analysts, reporters, and journalists, on average, over the next ten years.
  • Employment of photographers is expected to grow by 9% from 2021 to 2031.
  • The employment of writers and bloggers is expected to boost by 4% from 2021 to 2031, creating 15,200 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 February 2023 is only 3.6%, 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: Admission Requirements

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

University Admission Requirements Additional Requirements
Stanford University 4-year bachelor’s degree | SOP | 3 samples of journalistic work | Updated Resume/CV | 3 LORs | Official Transcripts TOEFL: 100
Columbia University Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university | GRE Scores | 3 LORs | Essay | Updated Resume/CV| Journalistic work samples | TOEFL: 114 | IELTS: 8.0
University of California, Berkeley Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university | SOP | Personal History Statement | 2 LORs | 2-3 journalistic work samples | Updated Resume/CV | Official Transcripts TOEFL: 105 | IELTS: 7.5 | GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Northwestern University 4-year bachelor’s degree | GMAT/GRE Scores | 2 LORs | Essay | Updated Resume/CV | 2-3 work samples | Official Transcripts -
University of Texas, Austin Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university | SOP | Work samples | 3 LORs | Updated Resume/CV | Portfolio | Official Transcripts TOEFL: 79 | IELTS: 6.5 | GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
University of Wisconsin Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university | 3 LORs TOEFL: 92 | IELTS: 7.0 | GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Boston University Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university | 3 LORs | Updated Resume/CV | Personal Statement | Writing samples TOEFL: 100 | IELTS: 7.0 | GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Masters in Journalism in USA: Eligibility Criteria

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

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Masters in Journalism in USA: Cost

Given below is the detailed breakdown of total costs of studying in USA for students willing to study abroad in USA. It is always preferable to be aware of the costs involved and optimise the budget ahead of time to ensure a smooth experience. 

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

Masters in Journalism in USA Tuition Fee

University Tuition Fee (USD) Tuition Fee (INR)
University of Texas, Austin 19,786 16 lakhs
University of California, Berkeley 23,400 19 lakhs
Arizona State University 39,345 32 lakhs
University of Wisconsin 51,000 42 lakhs
Michigan State University 51,274 42 lakhs
University of Maryland, College Park 53,070 43 lakhs
Stanford University 56,487 49 lakhs
Northwestern University 69,932 57 lakhs
Columbia University 74,624 61 lakhs
Boston University 91,575 75 lakhs

Cost of Living in USA

The estimated expenditure and cost of living in USA for an international student ranges is around 1.83 lakhs INR. The following table demonstrates the average monthly expense to be expected by an international student in USA:

Expense Type Average Cost (USD) Cost Equivalent (INR)
Accommodation 1,250 1.01 lakhs
Food 500 40,796
Transport 95 7,751
Books and Supplies 107 8,732
Internet 50 4,080
Miscellaneous 260 21,217

cost of living in USA

Masters in Journalism in USA: Scholarships

Numerous scholarships are offered by the USA government to international students who are in need of 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 are:

Masters in Journalism in USA Jobs and Salaries

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

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 on the basis of 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 19,786-91,575 USD (16.13-74.67 lakhs INR) 18,000 GBP- 25,000 GBP (18-25 lakh INR)
Average Salary 70,000 USD (57 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 is 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 top universities for Masters in Journalism like Stanford University, Columbia University, and 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 19,786-91,575 USD (16.13-74.67 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: Despite a decline in the employment of journalists, there will be 4,900 new jobs for news analysts, reporters, and journalists, on average, over the next ten years.