Communication and Media Studies

Bachelor's degree · Northeastern Illinois University · Chicago, IL

CIP 09.01

$32,538Median earnings 1 year after graduating
$48,247Median earnings 4 years after
$47,402Median earnings 5 years after
$15,000Median federal debt
36Graduates per year

How this program compares

Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Communication and Media Studies at Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $32,538 one year after completing the program. Nationally, bachelor's degree graduates in this field earn a median of $56,359 four years after graduating (middle half: $39,575–$76,115). Median debt is $15,000, about 46% of first-year earnings – a manageable level by common guidelines.

Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's degree) at other Illinois schools

CollegeEarnings (1 yr)Median debt
Northwestern University
Evanston
$52,210$17,687
DeVry University-Illinois
Lisle
$47,622$45,000
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest
$42,835$27,000
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst
$41,423—
Augustana College
Rock Island
$40,806$26,375
Wheaton College
Wheaton
$39,321$23,250
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago
$38,912$19,224
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb
$38,490$23,812
Illinois State University
Normal
$38,125$19,500
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign
$37,808$18,850
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston
$37,778$23,676
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago
$36,963$12,500
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville
$36,569$20,500
Millikin University
Decatur
$35,413$21,149
DePaul University
Chicago
$34,453$20,834

Highest-paying Communication and Media Studies programs nationwide →

Other programs at Northeastern Illinois University

Frequently asked questions

How much do Communication and Media Studies graduates from Northeastern Illinois University make?

The median salary is $32,538 one year after graduation and $47,402 after five years.

How much student debt do graduates have?

Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $15,000.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.