Communication and Media Studies bachelor's degree programs in Illinois
Compare 28 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in Illinois
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1Northwestern UniversityEvanston · $18,112 federal debt$93,5412Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale · $26,543 federal debt$69,0343University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign · $19,500 federal debt$66,4394Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest · $27,000 federal debt$64,5805Augustana CollegeRock Island · $26,375 federal debt$63,7306Wheaton CollegeWheaton · $23,250 federal debt$60,6957Illinois State UniversityNormal · $20,125 federal debt$60,4148Loyola University ChicagoChicago · $25,000 federal debt$58,2569Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston · $26,000 federal debt$57,88710University of Illinois ChicagoChicago · $20,750 federal debt$56,845
CAREER CONTEXT IN IL
What related occupations pay in Illinois
These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.
11-2032Public Relations Managers
- State median wage
- $131,990
- Middle 50% wage range
- $98,400–$169,640
- State employment
- 2,770
- Projected growth
- +5.7%
- Annual openings
- 6,100
25-1122Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $78,150
- Middle 50% wage range
- $53,860–$100,600
- State employment
- 1,580
- Projected growth
- +2.1%
- Annual openings
- 2,400
27-3043Writers and Authors
- State median wage
- $68,220
- Middle 50% wage range
- $43,440–$97,280
- State employment
- 2,640
- Projected growth
- -0.3%
- Annual openings
- 11,900
27-3031Public Relations Specialists
- State median wage
- $76,380
- Middle 50% wage range
- $59,400–$102,950
- State employment
- 6,200
- Projected growth
- +1.8%
- Annual openings
- 23,000
27-3041Editors
- State median wage
- $76,060
- Middle 50% wage range
- $62,370–$100,750
- State employment
- 4,560
- Projected growth
- -1.1%
- Annual openings
- 7,900
27-3023News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
- State median wage
- $60,590
- Middle 50% wage range
- $42,790–$86,060
- State employment
- 1,060
- Projected growth
- -5.9%
- Annual openings
- 3,400
27-3011Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys
- State median wage
- $46,720
- Middle 50% wage range
- $32,190–$61,370
- State employment
- 770
- Projected growth
- -7.6%
- Annual openings
- 2,000
11-2033Fundraising Managers
- State median wage
- $106,290
- Middle 50% wage range
- $83,840–$132,430
- State employment
- 2,860
- Projected growth
- +5.4%
- Annual openings
- 3,700
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Illinois; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.
ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS
Compare every available outcome
Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.
| # | College | City | Median year-4 earnings | Median federal debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern University | Evanston | $93,541 | $18,112 |
| 2 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale | $69,034 | $26,543 |
| 3 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign | $66,439 | $19,500 |
| 4 | Lake Forest College | Lake Forest | $64,580 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Augustana College | Rock Island | $63,730 | $26,375 |
| 6 | Wheaton College | Wheaton | $60,695 | $23,250 |
| 7 | Illinois State University | Normal | $60,414 | $20,125 |
| 8 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago | $58,256 | $25,000 |
| 9 | Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | $57,887 | $26,000 |
| 10 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago | $56,845 | $20,750 |
| 11 | DePaul University | Chicago | $56,014 | $22,916 |
| 12 | Northern Illinois University | Dekalb | $55,109 | $27,000 |
| 13 | Elmhurst University | Elmhurst | $53,618 | Not available |
| 14 | University of Illinois Springfield | Springfield | $52,588 | $24,322 |
| 15 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville | $52,466 | $21,759 |
| 16 | DeVry University-Illinois | Lisle | $51,752 | $56,858 |
| 17 | Western Illinois University | Macomb | $51,203 | $30,000 |
| 18 | Aurora University | Aurora | $50,079 | $23,262 |
| 19 | Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago | $48,247 | $15,630 |
| 20 | Moody Bible Institute | Chicago | $48,158 | $11,812 |
| 21 | Benedictine University | Lisle | $47,664 | $26,000 |
| 22 | Trinity Christian College | Palos Heights | $47,527 | Not available |
| 23 | Governors State University | University Park | $47,475 | $20,340 |
| 24 | Monmouth College | Monmouth | $46,462 | Not available |
| 25 | Millikin University | Decatur | $45,444 | $21,149 |
| 26 | Saint Xavier University | Chicago | $44,312 | $26,311 |
| 27 | Concordia University-Chicago | River Forest | $43,071 | Not available |
| 28 | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais | $42,321 | $27,000 |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Communication and Media Studies in Illinois
What do Communication and Media Studies bachelor's degree graduates earn in Illinois?
Across 28 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $52,466 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The median is $23,262 among the 24 programs reporting federal debt.
Which Illinois colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Northwestern University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.