Communication and Media Studies at Blackburn College

A $24,000 debt load for a communication degree might sound manageable until you consider what similar Illinois programs suggest about earning potential. Based on 26 comparable communication programs across the state, graduates typically earn around $36,000 in their first year—putting this at the statewide median. That 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio falls comfortably within the range where student loans remain manageable, though it leaves little cushion for the financial realities many communication graduates face early in their careers.

The gap between Blackburn and Illinois's top-tier programs is substantial. Northwestern and DePaul communication graduates start at $52,000 and $48,000 respectively, nearly 50% higher than what peer programs suggest for schools like Blackburn. While those elite programs likely carry different price tags and admit different student profiles, the earnings disparity matters when you're budgeting for loan payments. For a school serving 54% Pell-eligible students, that first-year salary estimate represents a critical calculation.

The practical question: can your child launch a communication career on $36,000 while managing $24,000 in debt? Many do, especially outside Chicago where cost of living is lower. But with Blackburn's actual outcomes data suppressed due to small graduate numbers, you're making this decision based on what similar Illinois programs produce, not verified results from this specific school. Ask Blackburn directly about their communication graduates' placement rates and starting positions—you need more than estimates to assess whether this investment makes sense for your family.