What can you do with a Communication degree from Illinois State University?

First, some facts. Of the Communication graduates from Illinois State University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:

These are estimates based on AI analysis of 25 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 57%, Communication graduates from Illinois State University have a lower likelihood (-10%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

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Also, after graduating, only 24% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Communication graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Communication degree from Illinois State University?
• What do Communication graduates from Illinois State University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Communication degree from Illinois State University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Communication degree from Illinois State University?
• What are the best colleges for Communication?

View a random Communication graduate from Illinois State University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 26% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2017 from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communication. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION National Account Executive SurePayroll Jun 2017 - Feb 2018 As a National Account Executive, the role directly utilizes communication skills and knowledge essential for managing relationships with significant clients, aligning closely with the degree in Communication. Fitness Staff LA Fitness Feb 2018 - Present The position as Fitness Staff does not require communication-specific skills or knowledge, focusing instead on fitness and customer service unrelated to the Communication degree. Account Representative WeatherTech Mar 2019 - Present While the role of Account Representative at WeatherTech may involve communication skills in dealing with clients, it primarily centers around sales and product knowledge rather than the core qualifications of communication. ABOUT I am a dedicated hardworking individual, with strong sales and customer service experience gained from both inside sales and senior sales agent positions. Energetic, results-oriented, customer focused, and strong interpersonal skills, now broadening my skills and certifications whileworking a full time position as I continue towards a career in aviation. [NAME REMOVED] Coates

What jobs can you get with a Communication degree from Illinois State University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Speech Language Pathologist
• Customer Service Representative
• Patient Care Specialist
• Graduate Assistant
• Audiology Intern
• Licensed Sales Producer
• Substitute Teacher
• Graduate Extern Site
• Account Executive
• HRIS Administrator

When checking out jobs held by Communication graduates from Illinois State University, you'll notice a pattern. Many of them find themselves in positions related to teaching, public relations, or media production. Roles like Speech Language Pathologist, English Teacher, and various positions in video production clearly show a direct connection to the skills and knowledge gained from a Communication degree. Those jobs lean heavily on the ability to communicate effectively, whether it’s teaching students, helping individuals improve their speech, or creating engaging media content.

However, not every job listed is a perfect fit for the Communication major. Positions in customer service, sales, and some administrative roles often require general communication skills but don’t fully engage the specialized training from a Communication degree. For instance, being a Customer Service Representative or HR Assistant revolves more around tasks specific to those fields rather than applying in-depth communication theories and methods. Despite this, graduates still manage to leverage their degree’s skills in various ways, showing that communication is a versatile asset in the job market, even if it’s not always front and center.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Communication graduates (this is across all Communication graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Illinois State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Communication graduates from Illinois State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

From what I've seen in this data, graduates from Illinois State University with a degree in Communication tend to have quite a mix in their early career trajectories, but many seem to be on a positive path. A lot of them kick off their careers in roles that tie back to communication, such as HR coordinators, marketing assistants, and various positions in production and public relations. Even in those first jobs, it's evident that they're leveraging their skills in communication, media, and relationship management, which is a pretty sweet deal. However, not every graduate jumps directly into a related field; some start in customer service or education roles, which might not be their primary focus but still help build transferable skills.

Fast forward a few years—say five to ten—and you'd see an even broader range of career advancements. Many graduates have moved into more specialized roles, such as speech language pathologists, producers, or account executives in PR firms, indicating a solid climb up the ladder. There are even some who have taken on leadership positions, like a director of communications or a clinical audiologist, showing how a communication degree can truly open doors in various fields. While some paths seem to stray from pure communication roles, overall, it looks like these graduates are finding satisfying careers, with many keeping it relevant to what they studied at ISU. So, while there are some bumps along the way, the long-term prospects look pretty promising for Communication majors from Illinois State University!

How hard is a Communication degree from Illinois State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Communication at Illinois State University can be a mix of fun and challenging, but overall, it tends to be on the easier side compared to other majors. You’ll usually dive into interesting topics like media, interpersonal skills, and public speaking, which can be engaging if you enjoy connecting with people and expressing your ideas. While there are assignments and projects that'll ask you to think critically and creatively, a lot of it relies on participation and discussion rather than heavy-duty exams or math-heavy coursework. So, if you’re someone who enjoys working on presentations and group projects, you might find it pretty enjoyable and manageable!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Communication.

Do Communication graduates from Illinois State University tend to make good money?

Alright, so let’s break it down. The graduates from Illinois State University seem to have had a pretty varied journey in terms of jobs and salaries. Some, like the HRIS administrator and the senior account executive, likely make decent money, especially as they seem to have progressed in their roles. Others, like the substitute teachers or those in entry-level positions, probably aren’t raking it in just yet. Fields like HR, education, and marketing can offer solid pay as you climb the ladder, but it looks like some folks are still on the lower end of the income scale starting out. Overall, it seems like a mix of good earning potential and a few who are still finding their footing financially.

What buzzwords do Communication graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Communication (this is across all Communication graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Illinois State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Communication?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Communication (ordered by the average relevance score of their Communication graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College	Score	Count
New York University	82	14
Western Carolina University	81	10
Boston University	80	15
University of Florida	78	15
La Salle University	77	10
Moody Bible Institute	77	11
Virginia Commonwealth University	76	16
University of Wisconsin-Madison	75	22
Longwood University	75	10
University of Southern California	74	37
Utah Valley University	74	18
Wichita State University	74	10
Louisiana State University	73	40
Queens College	73	17
Gonzaga University	73	10
Penn State University	72	62
Southern New Hampshire University	72	25
Auburn University	72	34
Brigham Young University	71	25
University of Missouri-Columbia	71	29
Georgia Southern University	71	12
University of Alabama at Birmingham	71	10
Southeastern Louisiana University	71	14
Pace University	71	20
Florida International University	70	38
The University of Alabama	70	12
Northeastern University	70	19
California State University-Northridge	70	22
The University of Memphis	70	10
University of California, San Diego	70	11
University of Hawaii at Manoa	70	15
UC San Diego	70	13
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point	70	14
Stockton University	70	16
Biola University	70	12
The University of Texas at Austin	69	18
University of California, Berkeley	69	22
Cornell University	69	13
Missouri State University	69	11
Southern Connecticut State University	69	16
Salisbury University	69	14
University of Denver	69	14
Worcester State University	69	18
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College	69	10
Florida State University	68	46
Purdue University	68	13
University of North Texas	68	15
The University of Georgia	68	11
University of Arkansas	68	39
Azusa Pacific University	68	15
Santa Clara University	68	11
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	67	16
George Mason University	67	17
University of Maryland	67	19
University of Maine	67	11
Loyola Marymount University	67	20
Tulane University	67	11
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville	67	10
University of Arizona	66	28
Central Michigan University	66	18
California State University, Northridge	66	44
University of Virginia	66	14
University of Utah	66	29
Northern Illinois University	66	12
University of San Diego	66	23
Texas A&M University	65	56
University of Houston	65	18
DePaul University	65	15
California State University-Fullerton	65	18
University of California, Santa Barbara	65	26
University at Albany, SUNY	65	17
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse	65	11
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania	65	14
Eastern Illinois University	65	15
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi	65	12
Valdosta State University	65	18
Marymount Manhattan College	65	11
James Madison University	64	31
California State University, Fullerton	64	39
University of Kentucky	64	29
Appalachian State University	64	24
University of Massachusetts Amherst	64	22
Wake Forest University	64	12
University of South Florida	63	74
Towson University	63	39
East Carolina University	63	27
Clemson University	63	17
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities	63	35
University of Connecticut	63	30
Sam Houston State University	63	33
Baylor University	63	12
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale	63	11
California State University-San Bernardino	63	19
Utah State University	63	11
Fordham University	63	22
University of Tennessee-Knoxville	63	14
University of North Carolina Wilmington	63	13
State University of New York College at Cortland	63	11
University of Montevallo	63	10
Brigham Young University - Idaho	62	29
The University of Texas at San Antonio	62	29
Bowling Green State University	62	20
University of Rhode Island	62	38
San Diego State University-California State University	62	13
Western Kentucky University	62	10
University of Massachusetts, Amherst	62	23
Coastal Carolina University	62	25
The College of New Jersey	62	12
Radford University	62	20
Hunter College	62	11
University of Illinois Springfield	62	11
Texas State University	61	35
Grand Canyon University	61	26
University of Colorado Boulder	61	29
California State University-Sacramento	61	40
University of Pittsburgh	61	22
West Chester University of Pennsylvania	61	30
Northwestern University	61	14
St. Cloud State University	61	19
University of West Georgia	61	21
Saint Joseph's University	61	12
University of Houston-Clear Lake	61	10
Arizona State University	60	123
North Carolina State University	60	24
Ohio University	60	56
University of Oklahoma	60	24
University of Maryland College Park	60	25
UC Santa Barbara	60	37
California State University, Fresno	60	17
California State University-Los Angeles	60	11
Curry College	60	12
University of Washington	59	67
University of California, Los Angeles	59	32
University of Michigan	59	20
Florida Atlantic University	59	25
University of Delaware	59	17
University of North Carolina at Charlotte	59	25
Boston College	59	16
California State University San Marcos	59	36
The University of New Mexico	59	13
Wright State University	59	15
University of Northern Iowa	59	10
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania	59	20
Fairfield University	59	10
Wittenberg University	59	10
Texas A&M International University	59	10
University of Central Florida	58	49
University of Cincinnati	58	46
Kennesaw State University	58	25
Portland State University	58	17
California State University, Long Beach	58	30
California State University, Chico	58	16
Saint Louis University	58	11
University of San Francisco	58	15
Christopher Newport University	58	22
Temple University	57	42
Illinois State University	57	25
Northern Arizona University	57	12
Eastern Michigan University	57	20
Rutgers University	57	12
Boise State University	57	31
University of Louisville	57	30
Florida Gulf Coast University	57	25
Texas Christian University	57	15
Cleveland State University	57	13
East Tennessee State University	57	14
Bridgewater State University	57	24
Bowie State University	57	14
Michigan State University	56	45
Old Dominion University	56	30
St. John's University	56	14
Villanova University	56	16
Southeast Missouri State University	56	11
Tennessee State University	56	12
University of Phoenix	55	32
Liberty University	55	16
San Jose State University	55	47
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	55	27
University of North Florida	55	23
University of New Hampshire	55	21
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)	55	11
Stephen F. Austin State University	55	13
Northern Kentucky University	55	15
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	55	13
California State University-Dominguez Hills	55	13
Sonoma State University	55	18
Prairie View A&M University	55	13
Indiana University Bloomington	54	10
Texas Tech University	54	21
Iowa State University	54	13
Kent State University	54	25
Washington State University	54	11
College of Charleston	54	37
Indiana University of Pennsylvania	54	13
University of Colorado Denver	54	13
Virginia State University	54	13
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	53	30
Western Washington University	53	30
University at Buffalo	53	31
Eastern Kentucky University	53	11
Millersville University of Pennsylvania	53	12
Winston-Salem State University	53	11
State University of New York College at Oneonta	53	10
San Diego State University	52	29
University of Iowa	52	33
University of Tennessee, Knoxville	52	29
University of Mississippi	52	10
Oakland University	52	37
Wayne State University	52	13
University of Maryland University College	52	11
Minnesota State University, Mankato	52	23
Southern Utah University	52	10
San Francisco State University	51	59
California State University-Long Beach	51	33
University of Nevada-Las Vegas	51	12
University of North Carolina at Greensboro	51	29
Kean University	51	22
Eastern Connecticut State University	51	19
University of California, Davis	50	28
University of North Carolina at Wilmington	50	16
University of Missouri-Saint Louis	50	17
Western Illinois University	49	13
The Ohio State University	48	18
The University of Akron	48	10
University of Maryland Baltimore County	48	11
University of Tampa	48	21
University of Washington Tacoma	48	10
Clark Atlanta University	48	15
Colorado State University	47	30
West Virginia University	47	19
Delaware State University	47	12
State University of New York at Fredonia	45	10
University of Colorado Colorado Springs	44	13
Rowan University	43	19
SUNY Oneonta	43	19
Grand Valley State University	42	16
Mississippi State University	42	10
Southern Oregon University	30	10