What can you do with a Journalism degree from The University of Kansas?

First, some facts. Of the Journalism graduates from The University of Kansas we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 52%, Journalism graduates from The University of Kansas have a much lower likelihood (-15%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 52%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 12% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Journalism graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Journalism graduate from The University of Kansas and our analysis:


Relevance score: 50%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from The University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Journalism. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Manager of Account Services
RideDigital
Jan 2014 - Present
As Manager of Account Services at RideDigital, the role may involve communication and some analytical skills that could be influenced by a background in journalism, but it does not directly utilize the core qualifications of journalism on a daily basis.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Journalism degree from The University of Kansas?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When you look at the career paths of graduates from The University of Kansas with a degree in Journalism, a lot of them have ended up in jobs that aren't directly related to traditional journalism roles. Common positions include things like sales associates, marketing coordinators, and various roles in human resources. These jobs tend to focus more on skills in customer service, sales strategies, and general communication rather than the core journalistic skills like reporting, writing, or content creation. For instance, positions in retail and HR make up a good chunk of their post-graduation experiences, and those aren't areas where you'd use journalistic training day to day.

However, there are a few standout roles that align more closely with journalism, such as positions like Digital Journalist, Morning Reporter, or Producer, which obviously require the skills learned in a journalism program. But those roles seem to be more of an exception than the rule. Overall, while some graduates are leveraging their journalism degree in relevant roles, many have found themselves in jobs that lack the direct application of the specialized skills they developed in school. It’s kind of a mixed bag—some are living the journalism dream, while others are working in fields that don’t really connect back to their major at all.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Journalism graduates (this is across all Journalism graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to The University of Kansas):

What kind of career trajectories do Journalism graduates from The University of Kansas have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

So, looking at these career trajectories for Journalism graduates from The University of Kansas, it’s a mixed bag. Right out of college, many graduates seem to start off in roles that aren’t directly tied to traditional journalism, such as sales associates or web producers. While some do land media-related jobs early on, like staff writer or intern positions, a noticeable number of them veer off into areas like marketing, sales, and even human resources. This could suggest that right after graduation, there might be a bit of a struggle to find strictly journalism-related jobs, which is not uncommon in this field.

Fast forward five or ten years, and the picture gets a bit clearer. Many graduates who initially took sidesteps into other industries end up finding solid ground in roles like marketing coordinators, project managers, or even producing for TV, which draws on their communication skills honed during their studies. While it looks like some have transitioned successfully into related fields, others still strayed quite far from a journalism path. Overall, while you do see some graduates thriving in journalism-specific roles after a few years—especially as producers or reporters—there are also a significant number who remain outside the journalism realm entirely. So if you’re thinking about this major, it’s definitely a good idea to stay flexible. Networking and honing your skills can open doors beyond just traditional reporting!

How hard is a Journalism degree from The University of Kansas?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism can be a mixed bag depending on how much you enjoy writing and storytelling. At The University of Kansas, like many other places, you’ll dive into a bunch of courses that cover everything from reporting techniques to media law, which can be pretty engaging if you’re passionate about the subject. It’s not necessarily an “easy” degree since you’ll have to juggle a good amount of reading, writing, and practical projects, but if you’re someone who loves being curious, interviewing people, and crafting stories, it might feel more like fun than hard work. Just be ready to push yourself creatively and stay on top of deadlines!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Journalism.

Do Journalism graduates from The University of Kansas tend to make good money?

Alright, so let’s break this down. It looks like most of these Journalism graduates have started out in pretty standard entry-level jobs, which probably didn’t pay a ton, especially early in their careers. Some of them switched to roles that seem to offer better pay over time, particularly those who moved into management or specialized roles, like in marketing or consulting. However, there are others, especially in more traditional journalism roles, who might not be raking in the cash as much, especially with how tough the industry can be. Overall, some are doing decent with their salaries as they climb the ladder, but others might be feeling the struggle, especially if they’re sticking with more entry-level or less lucrative positions in journalism. So, it’s kind of a mixed bag – some are likely doing pretty well, while others might still be working their way up the financial ladder.

What buzzwords do Journalism graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Journalism (this is across all Journalism graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to The University of Kansas). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Journalism?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Journalism (ordered by the average relevance score of their Journalism graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Northwestern University 84 22
Ithaca College 77 11
Northeastern University 76 10
University of Maryland College Park 75 11
University of Houston 74 11
The University of Georgia 74 11
The University of Texas at Austin 70 21
Colorado State University 69 13
University of Missouri-Columbia 69 26
Boston University 69 12
University of Florida 68 29
Michigan State University 68 17
Ohio University 68 17
Hofstra University 68 10
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 63 10
San Jose State University 62 12
University of Oregon 62 31
Penn State University 61 16
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 61 10
Indiana University Bloomington 58 26
San Francisco State University 58 16
Temple University 57 26
University of North Texas 56 10
Columbia College Chicago 56 16
West Virginia University 54 10
The University of Kansas 52 16
Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia 51 10
Georgia State University 49 34
University of Arizona 48 15
University of Oklahoma 41 12