Bachelor's-12% vs national median889 grads tracked
Communication and Media Studies at Northeastern Illinois University
Ranked 192nd of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$36,030
middle 50%: $27,273 – $48,470
Median · 5 years out
$51,258
middle 50%: $37,266 – $67,490
Median · 10 years out
$63,394
middle 50%: $46,465 – $87,389
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
The median first-year salary for Communication and Media Studies majors is $36k. Five-year earnings average $51k.
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
8.2 yrs
≈ $9,646 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
$51,510 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
$51,443 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
$51,438 · 5 yrs out
Valdosta State University
$51,418 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$51,389 · 5 yrs out
Stephen F Austin State University
$51,365 · 5 yrs out
Western Oregon University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$51,071 · 5 yrs out
Northwest Missouri State University
$51,062 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Wesleyan University
$50,985 · 5 yrs out
Appalachian State University
$50,871 · 5 yrs out
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
$50,767 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Northeastern Illinois University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$108,546 · 5 yrs out
History (Master's)
$107,901 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$97,859 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$95,990 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$89,069 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$89,069 · 5 yrs out
Education (Master's)
$88,000 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$84,309 · 5 yrs out
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology (Master's)
$77,146 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Master's)
$73,271 · 5 yrs out
Economics (Bachelor's)
$70,625 · 5 yrs out
Biological and Biomedical Sciences (Master's)
$69,841 · 5 yrs out
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