Associate+39% vs national median38 grads tracked
Journalism at South Plains College
Ranked 1st of 9 associate programs in Journalism by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$25,504
middle 50%: $19,024 – $33,372
Median · 5 years out
$54,051
middle 50%: $36,674 – $76,015
Median · 10 years out
$83,557
middle 50%: $54,051 – $131,944
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Journalism (associate) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Graduates of South Plains College's associate program in Journalism earn a median $25,504 one year after graduating, rising to $83,557 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 39% above the national median of $38,895 for this field, ranking 1st of 9 reporting programs.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
8.1 yrs
≈ $10,499 total interest
Same major at other universities
Austin Community College
$44,737 · 5 yrs out
Kingsborough Community College/CUNY
$41,799 · 5 yrs out
Suffolk County Community College
$41,469 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma City Community College
$40,342 · 5 yrs out
Herkimer County Community College - SUNY Office of Community Colleges
$38,895 · 5 yrs out
Onondaga Community College
$37,821 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at South Plains College
Engineering (Associate)
$90,582 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$90,582 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Associate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$86,981 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$86,981 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$81,251 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$78,278 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$72,172 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$70,298 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Certificate)
$67,403 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$66,891 · 5 yrs out
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