Journalism Degree in Joliet, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Journalism degree analysis for Joliet, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$67K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
9 yrs
in Joliet
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Journalism in Joliet, IL Overview
Joliet, Illinois (pop. 150,362) has 12 colleges offering Journalism programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $880/month. Although national enrollment in Journalism has been declining, graduates with skills in Reporting and Investigative Journalism remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Joliet is approximately $47,520.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$8,958/yr
Private Tuition
$36,980/yr
Room & Board
$13,014/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,482/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
70%
Journalism Salary in Joliet (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Joliet's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Journalism salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Joliet adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Journalism ROI Calculator for Joliet
Estimate your return on investment for a Journalism degree using local Joliet tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,958 | Private avg: $36,980
Joliet avg aid: $7,482/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,888
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,720
vs HS diploma in Joliet
ROI Payback Period
9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Joliet
$214,512
Lifetime earnings premium ($302,400) minus total education cost ($87,888)
Student Loan Payoff for Journalism in Joliet
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Joliet for Journalism
University of St. Francis
private
$36,980/yr
$147,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Joliet Junior College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Journalism in Joliet
Joliet offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Journalism graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Joliet Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Journalism Job Titles
Journalism in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$48K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$41K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Naperville, IL
$45K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$40K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$35K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$40K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$46K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$40K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Joliet
Journalism Degree in Joliet — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Journalism ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Joliet.