WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-16% vs national median494 grads tracked

Communication and Media Studies at University of Illinois at Springfield

Ranked 239th of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$35,340
middle 50%: $25,421 – $44,863
Median · 5 years out
$48,823
middle 50%: $36,674 – $63,430
Median · 10 years out
$55,261
middle 50%: $40,478 – $76,770

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Communication and Media Studies (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of University of Illinois at Springfield's bachelor's program in Communication and Media Studies earn a median $35,340 one year after graduating, rising to $55,261 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 16% below the national median of $58,421 for this field, ranking 239th of 307 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
8.8 yrs
≈ $10,155 total interest

Same major at other universities

Purdue University - North Central
$49,073 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Oklahoma
$49,004 · 5 yrs out
Wright State University
$48,898 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University-Pueblo
$48,829 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - East
$48,829 · 5 yrs out
Columbia College
$48,829 · 5 yrs out
Macalester College
$48,791 · 5 yrs out
Eureka College
$48,715 · 5 yrs out
Western Carolina University
$48,708 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$48,637 · 5 yrs out
University of Southern Maine
$48,604 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
$48,603 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Illinois at Springfield

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$111,814 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$104,914 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$103,394 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$97,343 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$89,458 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Master's)
$80,325 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Master's)
$79,032 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Bachelor's)
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics (Bachelor's)
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
Education (Master's)
$73,701 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Master's)
$70,561 · 5 yrs out
Natural Resources and Conservation (Master's)
$68,146 · 5 yrs out

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