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Normal, IL · Journalism

Journalism at Illinois State University

Illinois State University graduates about 33 journalism majors a year. That puts it 119th of 271 schools we score for journalism, a solid program at 58 out of 100. Graduates in the major earn a median $56,000 four years out, below the national figure for the same major (0.95×).

58/100Solid#119 of 271 for journalism →
Graduates a year33under 1% of the class
Median pay 4 years out$56,0000.95× the same major nationally
Admit rate88%whole school
SAT middle 50%1010–1210whole school

Around Illinois State University

Normal Fire Department Station 2 at 604 N. Adelaide St., Normal IL (Mike Matejka
Normal Fire Tower Co 2Photo: Mike Matejka photo · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
yup.. he got boo'd
Govornor Rauner (21741991758)Photo: H. Michael Miley from Schaumburg, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
IMG_1044
Ralph Nader IMG 1044 (2421190687)Photo: soundfromwayout · CC BY 2.0 · source
Attendees at the Illinois State University tour stop of the "American Comeback T
Spring American Comeback Tour 2025 438Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source

Where journalism happens

Named buildings on the campus map: Academic 50 · Student housing 8 · Dorm 8 · Athletics 6 · Chapel 5 · Arts 3.

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Nearby in the journalism ranking

  1. Ball State University 59
  2. Rowan University 58
  3. St. Joseph's University–New York 58
  4. Wayne State University 58
  5. SUNY New Paltz 58
  6. University of Northern Colorado 57
  7. Georgia College & State University 57
  8. University of Hawaii at Manoa 57

Other strong majors at Illinois State University

How the score works

The score is out of 100 and compares Illinois State University with every school we score in journalism. It weighs what graduates earn four years out against the same major nationally (25%), research spending in the field (20%, NSF), how many undergraduate courses the department lists (20%), the student body's test scores (20%) and the size of the program (15%, capped so size alone can't win). 80+ is a standout program, 65+ strong, 45+ solid. Sources: US Department of Education (College Scorecard, IPEDS), NSF HERD, each school's current course catalog, OpenStreetMap and Wikimedia Commons.

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