WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-2% vs national median2,351 grads tracked

Communication and Media Studies at Illinois State University

Ranked 110th of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$39,652
middle 50%: $29,076 – $50,281
Median · 5 years out
$57,419
middle 50%: $42,836 – $73,864
Median · 10 years out
$71,949
middle 50%: $52,279 – $97,627

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Communication and Media Studies (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Illinois State University's bachelor's program in Communication and Media Studies earn a median $39,652 one year after graduating, rising to $71,949 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $58,421 for this field, ranking 110th of 307 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
7.3 yrs
≈ $8,532 total interest

Same major at other universities

Westfield State University
$57,631 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Connecticut State University
$57,625 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Kokomo
$57,537 · 5 yrs out
Elmhurst University
$57,508 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Illinois University
$57,465 · 5 yrs out
Brigham Young University - Idaho
$57,438 · 5 yrs out
University of Maine
$57,334 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$57,301 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at El Paso
$57,292 · 5 yrs out
St. Cloud State University
$57,247 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$57,152 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Crookston
$57,075 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Illinois State University

Education (Doctorate)
$110,151 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$110,004 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$100,616 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$94,916 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$93,908 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$92,435 · 5 yrs out
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's)
$91,685 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$91,592 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$89,527 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$88,197 · 5 yrs out
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctorate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out

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