Compare 10 Journalism. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $43,335.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Journalism tells a different story. Across 10 programs in Illinois, earnings range from $23,803 to $63,740—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Northwestern University's Journalism program leads with graduates earning $63,740, well above the state average of $43,335. But the data reveals broader patterns: Loyola University Chicago ($49,526) and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($48,706) also deliver strong outcomes, proving program excellence spans different institutional types.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Northwestern graduates borrow $15,000 and face just a 5.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making the program both high-earning and affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $63,740 | 151 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Manageable |
| #2 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | $49,526 | 29 | $24,157 | Manageable | $54,045 | High |
| #3 | $48,706 | 61 | $19,500 | Good | $34,511 | High | |
| #4 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $48,283 | 42 | $23,168 | Manageable | $41,563 | High |
| #5 | $45,989 | 33 | $20,482 | Good | $28,767 | High | |
| #6 | Columbia College ChicagoPrivate | $43,458 | 34 | $25,000 | Manageable | $55,700 | High |
| #7 | $42,041 | 30 | $21,543 | Manageable | $19,500 | High | |
| #8 | $38,341 | 28 | $22,162 | Challenging | $19,508 | High | |
| #9 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | $29,461 | 9 | $27,000 | High | $41,405 | High |
| #10 | $23,803 | 13 | $21,500 | High | $17,781 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
