Journalism bachelor's degree outcomes at Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public · Federal field 0904

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings are close to the same-degree benchmark.

$5,620 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 50.8% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −76% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

PRICE SENSITIVITY

The price can change the verdict.

Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.

← Negative payoff$0Positive payoff →

$0Annual price−$123,420

$8,000Annual price−$155,420

$13,000Current college-wide context−$175,420

$16,000Annual price−$187,420

$24,000Annual price−$219,420

$32,000Annual price−$251,420

$40,000Annual price−$283,420

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+49%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$31,753 → $47,283

—Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

36Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

51Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

41Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

Not availableAwarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

—Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$13,391

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$25,750

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$50,658

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$273/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

Enter my price →

AVERAGE NET PRICE$13,391Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$28,851Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE69.8%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE48.7%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$31,753Year 1

$50,658Year 4

$47,283Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

6.5% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$4,222

Estimated loan payment$273

41borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$50,658 vs. $56,278

$5,620 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$60,590 median wageIL estimate · 1,060 jobs · 27-3023-5.9% projected U.S. growth · 3.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeCommunications Teachers, Postsecondary$78,150 median wageIL estimate · 1,580 jobs · 25-1122+2.1% projected U.S. growth · 2.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeEditors$76,060 median wageIL estimate · 4,560 jobs · 27-3041-1.1% projected U.S. growth · 7.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeWriters and Authors$68,220 median wageIL estimate · 2,640 jobs · 27-3043-0.3% projected U.S. growth · 11.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFilm and Video Editors$72,460 median wageIL estimate · 310 jobs · 27-4032+3.7% projected U.S. growth · 3.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeProofreaders and Copy Markers$50,060 median wageIL estimate · 300 jobs · 43-9081-0.9% projected U.S. growth · 1.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeBroadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$46,720 median wageIL estimate · 770 jobs · 27-3011-7.6% projected U.S. growth · 2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePhotographers$36,570 median wageIL estimate · 2,150 jobs · 27-4021-0.7% projected U.S. growth · 10.7k openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalent

Possible alternatives