Master's-10% vs national median268 grads tracked
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at Northern Illinois University
Ranked 86th of 124 master's programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$44,849
middle 50%: $30,005 – $57,957
Median · 5 years out
$64,741
middle 50%: $46,399 – $82,785
Median · 10 years out
$80,183
middle 50%: $54,757 – $106,324
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (master's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Master's degree graduates in Communication and Journalism from Northern Illinois University start at $45k. Mid-career pay reaches $80k.
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
6.5 yrs
≈ $7,450 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Northern Colorado
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Manoa
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Liberty University
$65,534 · 5 yrs out
University of Wyoming
$65,194 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University Northwest
$65,141 · 5 yrs out
Ball State University
$64,718 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$64,718 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$64,402 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$64,402 · 5 yrs out
University of South Dakota
$64,402 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$64,243 · 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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