WhatGradsMake
Master's-12% vs national median105 grads tracked

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at Western Illinois University

Ranked 93rd of 124 master's programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$47,521
middle 50%: $35,792 – $64,204
Median · 5 years out
$63,451
middle 50%: $42,371 – $84,874
Median · 10 years out
$70,298
middle 50%: $39,380 – $104,398

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

Graduates of Western Illinois University's master's program in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs earn a median $47,521 one year after graduating, rising to $70,298 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 12% below the national median of $72,014 for this field, ranking 93rd of 124 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
6.5 yrs
≈ $7,294 total interest

Same major at other universities

Ball State University
$64,718 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$64,718 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$64,402 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$64,402 · 5 yrs out
University of South Dakota
$64,402 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$64,243 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$63,234 · 5 yrs out
Stephen F Austin State University
$63,029 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
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

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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