Bachelor's-4% vs national median4,363 grads tracked
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at Northern Illinois University
Ranked 127th of 355 bachelor's programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$39,693
middle 50%: $28,932 – $50,900
Median · 5 years out
$56,657
middle 50%: $42,794 – $74,174
Median · 10 years out
$71,752
middle 50%: $52,401 – $97,884
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Communication graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median $39,693 in year one. Median earnings reach $71,752 after ten years.
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
≈ $8,593 total interest
Same major at other universities
State University of New York at New Paltz
$57,171 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$57,152 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - River Falls
$57,090 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Crookston
$57,075 · 5 yrs out
Salem State University
$56,925 · 5 yrs out
Trine University
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$56,647 · 5 yrs out
Winona State University
$56,592 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University, Mankato
$56,535 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$56,368 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$56,263 · 5 yrs out
Concordia College - Moorhead
$56,181 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Northern Illinois University
Education (Doctorate)
$119,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,599 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$111,551 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$111,291 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$109,443 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$102,156 · 5 yrs out
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,392 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$97,297 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Master's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,041 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$93,400 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$92,787 · 5 yrs out
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