Journalism
Bachelor's degree · Columbia College Chicago · Chicago, IL
$31,369Median earnings 1 year after graduating
$51,639Median earnings 4 years after
$49,778Median earnings 5 years after
$24,525Median federal debt
27Graduates per year
How this program compares
Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Journalism at Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $31,369 one year after completing the program. Nationally, bachelor's degree graduates in this field earn a median of $56,278 four years after graduating (middle half: $40,588–$73,923). Median debt is $24,525, about 78% of first-year earnings.
Journalism (Bachelor's degree) at other Illinois schools
| College | Earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University Evanston | $50,426 | $14,834 |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale | $40,575 | $21,269 |
| Loyola University Chicago Chicago | $38,302 | $21,125 |
| DePaul University Chicago | $37,388 | $21,666 |
| Illinois State University Normal | $36,643 | $20,750 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign | $36,303 | $21,000 |
| Northern Illinois University Dekalb | $31,753 | $22,625 |
Other programs at Columbia College Chicago
- Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and EducationMaster's degree
$47,970 - Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor's degree
$39,794 - MarketingBachelor's degree
$36,386 - Film/Video and Photographic ArtsMaster's degree
$35,483 - Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's degree
$34,798 - Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesMaster's degree
$33,972 - American Sign LanguageBachelor's degree
$33,775 - Design and Applied ArtsBachelor's degree
$29,630 - Graphic CommunicationsBachelor's degree
$26,309 - Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherBachelor's degree
$25,999 - Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesBachelor's degree
$25,060 - Radio, Television, and Digital CommunicationBachelor's degree
$24,191 - Film/Video and Photographic ArtsBachelor's degree
$23,905 - Arts, Entertainment, and Media ManagementBachelor's degree
$23,844 - Fine and Studio ArtsBachelor's degree
$22,765 - Audiovisual Communications Technologies/TechniciansBachelor's degree
$20,927 - MusicBachelor's degree
$19,943 - Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftBachelor's degree
$17,929 - Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherMaster's degree
$28,877 - DanceBachelor's degree
$25,046
Frequently asked questions
How much do Journalism graduates from Columbia College Chicago make?
The median salary is $31,369 one year after graduation and $49,778 after five years.
How much student debt do graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $24,525.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.