Communication and Media Studies at Benedictine University

At first glance, Benedictine's Communication and Media Studies program appears underwhelming—starting salaries of $30,334 place graduates in just the 25th percentile among Illinois programs. But the real story here is trajectory: earnings jump 52% to reach $46,143 by year four, ultimately surpassing both state and national medians. This is one of those programs where patience pays off, though parents should understand their child will likely struggle financially in those critical first few years after graduation.

The $26,000 debt load is reasonable and roughly on par with national norms for communications degrees, translating to manageable monthly payments even at that lower starting salary. What matters more is whether your child can weather the lean early years—perhaps living at home or taking a survival job while building their career. The 77% admission rate and significant Pell Grant population (39%) suggest Benedictine serves many first-generation and working-class students who may not have family financial cushions during that initial period.

The gap between Benedictine and top Illinois programs like Northwestern ($52,210) or DePaul is substantial, but those schools come with different price tags and admission standards. If your child is accepted here and can manage the early-career financial reality, the four-year numbers suggest this program eventually delivers reasonable outcomes for a communications degree.