Communication and Media Studies at Olivet Nazarene University

Olivet Nazarene's Communication and Media Studies program ranks near the bottom among Illinois communication programs—10th percentile statewide and 5th percentile nationally. That first-year salary of $23,259 is roughly $11,000 below what typical Illinois graduates in this field earn, and about $12,000 below the national median. Even Northwestern aside, peer programs at schools like Elmhurst and Augustana deliver significantly stronger outcomes.

The 92% earnings growth between years one and four offers some relief, bringing graduates to $44,660 by year four. However, that trajectory suggests graduates may be starting in lower-level positions that require several years to reach market rates. With $27,000 in debt (above the state median of $23,792), the initial debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.16 means graduates face more than a full year's salary in student loans while earning well below what their peers make elsewhere.

For families considering this program, the critical question is whether Olivet's specific environment justifies accepting substantially lower early-career earnings. If your student can access stronger communication programs within Illinois—particularly those ranked in the top half statewide—the financial advantage becomes hard to ignore. The debt level isn't catastrophic, but paired with those bottom-decile earnings, it creates unnecessary financial pressure during crucial early career years.