Journalism at Lewis University

Borrowing roughly $23,700 to enter journalism is a sobering prospect when similar programs in Illinois suggest first-year earnings around $37,000—a debt burden that will stretch across multiple years of paychecks in a field known for modest starting salaries. That 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio puts this program in line with typical Illinois journalism outcomes, but the field itself demands realistic expectations about financial returns.

The estimated earnings track closely with the state median for journalism bachelor's programs, though they trail far behind what graduates from Northwestern's journalism school command ($50,400). Based on comparable programs across Illinois, this represents fairly standard outcomes for a mid-tier journalism degree—neither a standout nor a disaster, but firmly in the middle of the pack where early-career financial struggle is common.

For parents weighing this investment, the key question is whether your student has concrete career plans that justify the debt. Journalism offers valuable skills but often requires supplementing early-career income through side work or family support. If your student is committed to the field, this program appears comparable to other Illinois options, but if they're uncertain about their career path, that $24,000 in debt becomes harder to rationalize given the estimated earning power.