WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-15% vs national median2,182 grads tracked

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 244th of 355 bachelor's programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$32,952
middle 50%: $24,256 – $43,288
Median · 5 years out
$49,896
middle 50%: $37,238 – $65,744
Median · 10 years out
$64,114
middle 50%: $45,876 – $90,703

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

Graduates of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's bachelor's program in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs earn a median $32,952 one year after graduating, rising to $64,114 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 15% below the national median of $59,040 for this field, ranking 244th of 355 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
8.5 yrs
≈ $10,220 total interest

Same major at other universities

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
$50,187 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Erie, The Behrend College
$50,129 · 5 yrs out
Benedictine University
$50,117 · 5 yrs out
Clayton State University
$50,018 · 5 yrs out
Columbus State University
$50,007 · 5 yrs out
Winthrop University
$49,992 · 5 yrs out
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
$49,855 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Oklahoma
$49,758 · 5 yrs out
Wright State University
$49,732 · 5 yrs out
Prairie View Agricultural & Mechanical University
$49,637 · 5 yrs out
Missouri State University
$49,613 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Saint Louis
$49,585 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,060 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$128,910 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$112,207 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,141 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$98,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,955 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$97,921 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,729 · 5 yrs out

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