Master's-15% vs national median211 grads tracked
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Ranked 104th of 124 master's programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$40,037
middle 50%: $27,795 – $52,371
Median · 5 years out
$61,198
middle 50%: $46,663 – $77,346
Median · 10 years out
$74,872
middle 50%: $58,920 – $95,724
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
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Communication masters earn $40k in year one. Median salaries reach $61k after five years and $75k 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 yrs
≈ $8,178 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$62,158 · 5 yrs out
Radford University
$62,132 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$61,903 · 5 yrs out
West Texas A&M University
$61,756 · 5 yrs out
Southeastern Louisiana University
$61,703 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
$61,545 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southern University
$60,696 · 5 yrs out
Missouri State University
$60,219 · 5 yrs out
St. Cloud State University
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Regent University
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Missouri
$59,577 · 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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