Communication and Media Studies at Wheaton College

Wheaton College's Communication and Media Studies program outperforms most competitors, with graduates earning $39,321 in their first year—nearly $5,000 above the typical Illinois program and $4,300 above the national median. Among 45 Illinois programs, this places at the 60th percentile, which means graduates earn more than their peers at roughly three out of five state schools. Earnings climb to $45,185 by year four, showing sustained growth rather than the stagnation some communication programs face.

The debt picture reinforces the value: at $23,250, graduates borrow slightly less than both state and national medians while earning considerably more. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 means borrowers face manageable repayment relative to income—roughly seven months of first-year earnings. This compares favorably to many communication programs where graduates struggle with higher debt loads against lower salaries.

The gap between Wheaton and elite programs like Northwestern ($52,210) is real, but that's a $75,000-per-year private university. For families seeking a Christian liberal arts education with strong post-graduation outcomes, Wheaton delivers communication training that translates to above-average earnings without excessive borrowing. The 15% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates build viable careers rather than simply finding any job after college.