The Story of Carol Costello — From Ohio Roots to National News & Academia

A Midwestern Beginning and Passion for Journalism

Carol Costello was born October 11, 1961 in Minerva, Ohio.  Growing up in a small town, she pursued her interest in journalism at Kent State University, earning a B.A. in Journalism. 

Her early work as a police- and court-reporter at WAKR-TV in Akron, Ohio laid the foundation for what would become a decades-long career in news. She then moved onto anchor/reporter positions for stations such as WSYX (the ABC affiliate) and WBNS 10-TV in Columbus, Ohio, before serving as 6 pm and 11 pm news anchor at WBAL-TV in Baltimore during the early 1990s. 

This local and regional grounding honed her reporting instincts — preparing her for the spotlight on national television.

From Local Newsrooms to the National Stage

Over time, Costello transitioned from local affiliates to national news outlets, carving out a name for herself as a seasoned and trusted anchor. She joined CNN and later its sister network HLN, anchoring morning shows like CNN Daybreak and contributing to flagship programs including The Situation Room. 

Her tenure at CNN saw her cover major global and national events. Among her assignments: hurricanes, landmark presidential elections, the inauguration of Barack Obama, and high-profile trials — from the Virginia Tech massacre to the Casey Anthony trial. She also tackled investigations and deep-dive reporting on complex societal issues such as coal ash, bullying, and women's issues.

At one point, she hosted the 9 a.m.–11 a.m. slot of CNN Newsroom, broadcasting from CNN’s New York bureau. 

Her style combined clarity, gravitas, and compassion — traits that made her a familiar and respected face in American homes.

A Shift Toward Education, Storytelling & Civic Engagement

In 2017, Costello left CNN to rejoin HLN in Los Angeles, citing her husband’s relocation as a key factor in the move. Her show, Across America with Carol Costello, debuted in August 2017, but less than two years later, she was among a group of seasoned hosts laid off as HLN scaled back live news programming. 

Rather than fade from public life, Costello pivoted — joining Loyola Marymount University (LMU) where she embraced new roles as educator, storyteller, and civic-engagement advocate.

At LMU, she served as External Relations Ambassador and adjunct lecturer in journalism — helping shape the university’s “Media, Arts & a Just Society” initiative, which blends media work with social justice and civic responsibility. She also co-founded a media production company and launched a university-backed podcast — signaling a renewed commitment to storytelling and mentorship rather than only anchoring the evening news. 

Costello’s journey from anchor desk to academia and civic engagement reveals a reinvention rooted in purpose — rather than spotlight.

Personal Life & Relationships: Move, Marriage, and Loss

Carol Costello is married to Timothy Law Snyder, who became president of Loyola Marymount University in 2015.  Their marriage led Costello to relocate — first to New York during her CNN years, and later to Los Angeles when Snyder assumed his LMU leadership role. 

Her personal faith journey has also been shaped by hardship. In an essay, she revealed that she lost her younger brother Jimmy to cancer at age 25, an experience that caused her to drift from her Catholic upbringing — only to find renewed faith years later, inspired in part by reflections on the papacy of Pope Francis. 

That interplay of personal grief, reflection, and renewal surfaces subtly in her public work — especially in her later focus on justice, media ethics, and storytelling grounded in humanity.

What’s Known (and Speculated) About Net Worth

Publicly available sources offer conflicting estimates for Carol Costello’s net worth. One widely cited figure puts it at approximately USD 8 million.  Other sources suggest a far more modest value — around USD 1 million. 

Given her decades in broadcast journalism, anchoring high-profile national shows, and her later ventures in academia and media production, the higher estimate seems plausible. Still, without transparent financial disclosures, both numbers remain speculative.

Legacy of a Voice That Evolved — Beyond Headlines

Carol Costello’s career reflects an arc more meaningful than many in broadcast journalism: from small-town Ohio to national living rooms, and finally to classrooms and civic platforms. Her age/birthdate (October 11, 1961) anchors a timeline of decades of experience — but what stands out is not just longevity: it is reinvention.

Costello’s birthday — a quiet October day in Minerva — may not grab headlines, but her journey since then has embodied growth, resilience, and purpose. Whether reporting on world events, mentoring future journalists, or shaping media narratives with intention, she continues to make her mark.

In a media landscape often defined by quick turnover, Costello’s shift from anchor to educator and storyteller speaks to a deeper commitment: to using experience and voice not just to report — but to inform, uplift, and inspire the next generation.