Communication and Media Studies at Northwestern University
Evanston, IL · Bachelor's Degree · about 82 graduates a year
Northwestern University graduates in communication and media studies earn 66% more than the national median for the same major four years after graduating. Their median federal debt equals about 19% of one year’s pay at that point.
How Northwestern University Compares for Communication and Media Studies
All 660 colleges reporting communication and media studies earnings at this degree level, ranked by median pay four years after graduation. “Wage-adjusted” divides pay by the square root of the state’s wage index so colleges in low-wage states aren’t penalized for local pay.
| # | College | 4 yrs after | Wage-adjusted | Adj. rank | 1 yr after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | $114,266 | $116,210 | #1 | $53,022 |
| 2 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL | $93,541 | $91,903 | #2 | $52,210 |
| 3 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY | $88,463 | $84,198 | #4 | $62,182 |
| 4 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA | $84,206 | $76,622 | #11 | $51,720 |
| 5 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA | $83,586 | $73,606 | #15 | $55,162 |
| 6 | Villanova University Villanova, PA | $81,497 | $82,883 | #7 | $52,294 |
| 7 | Boston University Boston, MA | $80,306 | $70,718 | #30 | $47,349 |
| 8 | Northeastern University Boston, MA | $80,191 | $70,617 | #31 | $47,465 |
| 9 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MA | $80,191 | $70,617 | #32 | $47,465 |
| 10 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | $79,648 | $83,980 | #5 | $50,556 |
Other Communication and Media Studies Credentials at Northwestern University
| Credential | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $87,012 | $116,101 | $55,813 |
Other Majors at Northwestern University by Graduate Pay
| Major | 4 yrs after | 1 yr after | Rank in major |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Science/Studies | $163,740 | $102,998 | #1 of 148 |
| Computer Science | $155,106 | $99,981 | #28 of 349 |
| Applied Mathematics | $148,740 | $94,684 | #4 of 45 |
| Industrial Engineering | $138,720 | $89,811 | #1 of 94 |
| Economics | $126,006 | $84,932 | #21 of 368 |
| Statistics | $122,682 | $77,917 | #7 of 50 |
| Chemical Engineering | $111,040 | $80,709 | #12 of 158 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $108,498 | $82,255 | #2 of 187 |
| Mathematics | $107,072 | $79,530 | #19 of 309 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $102,994 | $68,592 | #19 of 118 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $98,277 | $75,253 | #49 of 318 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | $97,819 | — | #1 of 15 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $93,180 | — | #7 of 476 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | $84,712 | $61,009 | #1 of 24 |
| Journalism | $80,258 | $50,426 | #3 of 187 |
| History | $78,966 | $50,161 | #13 of 459 |
| Public Policy Analysis | $78,752 | $48,558 | #9 of 34 |
| Sociology | $75,267 | $38,402 | #8 of 462 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $74,477 | $58,326 | #30 of 118 |
| Psychology | $73,646 | $44,088 | #14 of 1027 |
| Political Science and Government | $73,231 | $54,737 | #89 of 565 |
| Biology | $71,181 | — | #82 of 841 |
| Psychology | $62,905 | $36,890 | #3 of 9 |
| English Language and Literature | $62,147 | $31,748 | #39 of 576 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $59,372 | $39,012 | #15 of 103 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $54,279 | $35,334 | #56 of 67 |
| Music | $53,875 | $34,823 | #37 of 268 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $51,471 | $24,611 | #65 of 158 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $49,316 | $19,245 | #17 of 255 |
| Public Health | — | $39,956 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Northwestern University communication and media studies graduates make?
Graduates earn a median $52,210 one year after graduating and $93,541 four years after graduating. Figures are from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How does Northwestern University rank for communication and media studies?
Among 660 colleges reporting earnings for communication and media studies graduates, Northwestern University ranks #2 by median pay four years after graduation, and #2 after adjusting for state wage levels.
Is communication and media studies at Northwestern University worth it?
Its graduates earn 66% more than the national median for communication and media studies ($56,359), and the median federal debt at graduation is $17,687.
← All data for Northwestern University · Methodology
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled; programs with few graduates are not reported. Wage adjustment uses Census ACS state median household income.