Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at North Central College

North Central College's communication program graduates start at modest wages ($30,167), but here's what matters: they see 65% earnings growth by year four, reaching nearly $50,000—far exceeding both the national median ($29,976) and Illinois median ($26,844). Among Illinois communication programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, outperforming larger schools like Loyola and SIU-Carbondale while keeping debt lower than the state average.

The $27,000 debt load sits in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with more debt. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.90, graduates can realistically manage payments even during that tough first year. The trajectory matters here—that $20,000 jump in earnings from year one to year four suggests graduates are gaining traction in their careers rather than stalling out.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary more than at larger programs. Still, for an Illinois family weighing communication programs, North Central offers a combination of manageable debt and strong mid-term earnings that compares favorably to in-state alternatives. Your child would graduate with less debt than peers at Bradley or Western Illinois while reaching similar or better earnings by year four.