WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-4% vs national median1,669 grads tracked

Communication and Media Studies at Western Illinois University

Ranked 132nd of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$38,436
middle 50%: $28,230 – $49,609
Median · 5 years out
$55,924
middle 50%: $42,001 – $72,614
Median · 10 years out
$73,027
middle 50%: $52,130 – $100,271

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 Western Illinois University's bachelor's program in Communication and Media Studies earn a median $38,436 one year after graduating, rising to $73,027 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 4% below the national median of $58,421 for this field, ranking 132nd 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
7.5 yrs
≈ $8,795 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
$56,225 · 5 yrs out
University of Bridgeport
$56,170 · 5 yrs out
Sam Houston State University
$56,120 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego)
$56,069 · 5 yrs out
Utah State University
$56,029 · 5 yrs out
Longwood University
$55,973 · 5 yrs out
Winona State University
$55,832 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - River Falls
$55,780 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Old Westbury
$55,654 · 5 yrs out
Randolph College
$55,621 · 5 yrs out
Lamar University
$55,495 · 5 yrs out
Southern Utah University
$55,297 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Illinois University

Education (Doctorate)
$163,593 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$107,538 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$98,269 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Master's)
$97,417 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$97,160 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,133 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$96,422 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$84,414 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$82,090 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$82,014 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (Bachelor's)
$81,320 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$80,729 · 5 yrs out

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