Communication, Journalism, at Augustana College

Augustana's communication and journalism program produces first-year earnings of $30,104—below the national median but right at Illinois' median for this field. That 60th percentile state ranking suggests this program performs respectably within Illinois, though the small sample size (fewer than 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year.

The debt picture looks more favorable: graduates leave with $27,000, which sits at just the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with more debt. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.90, graduates owe roughly eleven months of their first-year salary, a manageable starting point even if those initial earnings feel modest. The real question becomes earnings trajectory: communication degrees often improve significantly with experience as graduates move beyond entry-level roles.

For families weighing this investment, the key consideration is whether $30,000 in starting salary provides enough runway while your child builds their career. The debt load won't be crushing, but those early years will require budgeting discipline. If your student has clear career goals in communications—particularly roles that value relationship-building and hands-on campus media experience that smaller colleges often provide—this could work. But don't ignore that small sample warning: ask the admissions office for more detailed outcomes data and connect with recent alumni before committing.