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
Journalism alumni from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale earn a median of $34k initially. By year five, earnings increase to $52k and reach $66k 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
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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