Communication and Media Studies at DeVry University-Illinois

DeVry University-Illinois's Communication and Media Studies program sits in a genuinely difficult spot—it delivers exceptionally strong starting salaries that beat 95% of similar programs nationwide and 80% in Illinois, yet burdens graduates with debt loads that rank among the highest 5% in the country. That $56,858 median debt is more than double both the national and Illinois medians for this degree, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.19 that demands careful scrutiny, especially when earnings remain essentially flat four years out.

The comparison to Illinois peers is telling. While DeVry graduates earn more initially than those from Elmhurst, Augustana, or Wheaton, they're carrying roughly $30,000 more in debt than the typical Illinois communications graduate. Northwestern remains the earnings leader, but DeVry's first-year outcomes genuinely compete with Lake Forest College—the difference is the price tag. For a program serving primarily Pell Grant-eligible students (65% of campus), that debt burden translates to real monthly payment pressure even with above-average earnings.

The lack of earnings growth over four years suggests these initial salary advantages may not compound into long-term career momentum. For families comfortable with the debt load and confident about their child's ability to leverage that strong first-year placement, the numbers work. But most families should recognize they're paying a premium price for modestly above-median earnings in a field where many programs deliver similar outcomes at half the debt cost.