Journalism
Bachelor's degree · Northwestern University · Evanston, IL
How this program compares
Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Journalism at Northwestern University earn a median of $50,426 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 $14,834, about 29% of first-year earnings – a manageable level by common guidelines.
Journalism (Bachelor's degree) at other Illinois schools
| College | Earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Columbia College Chicago Chicago | $31,369 | $24,525 |
Other programs at Northwestern University
- Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's degree
$224,402 - LawFirst professional degree
$210,979 - Business/Commerce, GeneralMaster's degree
$188,890 - Engineering, OtherMaster's degree
$162,147 - Engineering-Related FieldsMaster's degree
$144,879 - Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsMaster's degree
$140,444 - Information Science/StudiesMaster's degree
$131,093 - Community Organization and AdvocacyMaster's degree
$130,419 - Legal Research and Advanced Professional StudiesFirst professional degree
$129,670 - Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical StudiesMaster's degree
$124,451 - Medical Illustration and InformaticsMaster's degree
$112,816 - Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsMaster's degree
$107,097 - Information Science/StudiesBachelor's degree
$102,998 - Computer ScienceBachelor's degree
$99,981 - Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralMaster's degree
$99,283 - Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, OtherMaster's degree
$96,837 - Applied MathematicsBachelor's degree
$94,684 - Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/TechniciansMaster's degree
$93,115 - ChemistryDoctoral degree
$90,302 - Industrial EngineeringBachelor's degree
$89,811
Frequently asked questions
How much do Journalism graduates from Northwestern University make?
The median salary is $50,426 one year after graduation and $72,140 after five years.
How much student debt do graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $14,834.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.