Journalism
Bachelor's degree · Northern Illinois University · Dekalb, IL
$31,753Median earnings 1 year after graduating
$50,658Median earnings 4 years after
$47,283Median earnings 5 years after
$22,625Median federal debt
15Graduates per year
How this program compares
Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Journalism at Northern Illinois University earn a median of $31,753 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 $22,625, about 71% 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 |
| Columbia College Chicago Chicago | $31,369 | $24,525 |
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$62,117
Frequently asked questions
How much do Journalism graduates from Northern Illinois University make?
The median salary is $31,753 one year after graduation and $47,283 after five years.
How much student debt do graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $22,625.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.