WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-12% vs national median998 grads tracked

Journalism at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 74th of 127 bachelor's programs in Journalism by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$34,017
middle 50%: $24,814 – $45,305
Median · 5 years out
$52,100
middle 50%: $39,008 – $68,971
Median · 10 years out
$66,118
middle 50%: $46,590 – $93,919

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Journalism (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 Journalism earn a median $34,017 one year after graduating, rising to $66,118 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 12% below the national median of $58,956 for this field, ranking 74th of 127 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
8.2 yrs
≈ $9,787 total interest

Same major at other universities

Midwestern State University
$52,839 · 5 yrs out
University of Wyoming
$52,839 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University of Denver
$52,793 · 5 yrs out
Southern Connecticut State University
$52,580 · 5 yrs out
Franklin College of Indiana
$52,508 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
$52,344 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$51,923 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
$51,542 · 5 yrs out
Texas State University
$51,338 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
$51,049 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
$50,919 · 5 yrs out
CUNY York College
$50,539 · 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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