Communication and Media Studies at Governors State University

Governors State's Communication and Media Studies program starts extremely slow but tells an unusual comeback story. That first-year salary of $27,071 is concerning—it lands in just the 11th percentile nationally and 25th percentile among Illinois programs. Even within the state, this trails the median by nearly $9,000. For context, Northwestern's communication grads start at $52,210, almost double this figure.

The redemption arc comes in years two through four, with earnings jumping 64% to $44,438. This eventually surpasses both state and national medians, suggesting graduates either need time to break into better positions or benefit from GSU's connections to Chicago-area employers. The debt load of $20,340 is actually below average for communication programs, and notably lower than the state median of $23,792. Still, when you're earning $27,071 in year one, even modest debt feels heavy.

The real question for your family: Can you afford that brutal first year? With 52% of students receiving Pell grants, many GSU families are working-class and can't easily subsidize low post-graduation earnings. If your child needs immediate income after college, this program's delayed payoff creates real financial strain. If you can support them through an entry-level grind, the trajectory improves. But there's considerable early-career risk here that wealthier families handle more easily.