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
Journalism graduates at Western Illinois University earn a median of $31k in year one. Year ten earnings reach $59k.
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
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