WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-23% vs national median265 grads tracked

Journalism at Western Illinois University

Ranked 113th of 127 bachelor's programs in Journalism by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$31,037
middle 50%: $23,203 – $39,907
Median · 5 years out
$45,505
middle 50%: $36,484 – $58,406
Median · 10 years out
$59,253
middle 50%: $41,907 – $75,270

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 Western Illinois University's bachelor's program in Journalism earn a median $31,037 one year after graduating, rising to $59,253 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 23% below the national median of $58,956 for this field, ranking 113th 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
9.2 yrs
≈ $11,203 total interest

Same major at other universities

North Greenville University
$46,982 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Missouri
$46,924 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University Moorhead
$46,663 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$46,644 · 5 yrs out
Appalachian State University
$46,242 · 5 yrs out
Northwestern State University
$46,207 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$45,360 · 5 yrs out
Missouri State University
$44,440 · 5 yrs out
SUNY at Fredonia
$44,129 · 5 yrs out
Savannah State University
$44,083 · 5 yrs out
Dominican University
$43,948 · 5 yrs out
Northwest Missouri State University
$43,047 · 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

Related fields of study

Communication and Media Studies
Compare universities
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Compare universities
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
Compare universities
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Compare universities
Publishing
Compare universities
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
Compare universities