About Degrees Colleges Colleges About About
Degrees
Degrees
Colleges
Colleges
About
About

What can you do with a Communication degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?

First, some facts. Of the Communication graduates from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 55%, Communication graduates from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have a much lower likelihood (-12%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 55%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

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

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 23% 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:

View a random Communication graduate from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and our analysis:

Relevance score: 86%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Digital Advertising Campaign Coordinator
Tribune Publishing Company
Aug 2012 - Aug 2013
As a Digital Advertising Campaign Coordinator, the role extensively utilizes communication skills and advertising knowledge acquired in the Bachelor's degree, making it highly relevant.

Digital Advertising Campaign Specialist
Tribune Publishing Company
Aug 2013 - Jul 2014
The position of Digital Advertising Campaign Specialist directly applies the communication principles and marketing strategies learned during the Bachelor's program, ensuring daily use of relevant skills.

Ad Operations Specialist
Stadium
Jul 2014 - Apr 2016
As an Ad Operations Specialist, the job necessitates effective communication with clients and team members while coordinating ad placements, which is well-supported by the communication degree.

Ad Operations Specialist
Basis Technologies
Apr 2016 - May 2018
The role of Ad Operations Specialist at Basis Technologies also extensively uses communication skills and understanding of advertising processes derived from the Bachelor's program.

Senior Ad Operations Specialist
Basis Technologies
May 2018 - Oct 2019
As a Senior Ad Operations Specialist, the position requires advanced skills in managing ad campaigns, aligning closely with the communication expertise developed in the Bachelor's degree.

Senior Specialist, Ad Operations
Zion & Zion
Oct 2019 - Apr 2021
The Senior Specialist, Ad Operations role at Zion & Zion requires high-level communication and strategic advertising knowledge, making it very relevant to the degree.

Customer Success Manager
Spaceback
May 2021 - Apr 2023
As a Customer Success Manager, some skills related to communication are used; however, the primary focus is more on customer relationship management than direct application of communication theory.

Customer Team Lead
Spaceback
Apr 2023 - Present
The position as Customer Team Lead at Spaceback involves communication skills, but it is primarily centered around team management rather than direct application of skills gained from the communication degree.

ABOUT

Proactive Customer Success Leader with over 12 years of experience in Digital Advertising and Ad Tech. Ive supported publishers, brands, and agencies around the world, focusing on building and fostering relationships with clients. Im most proud of my work with Spaceback and the innovations in Social Display and Social CTV we're bringing to the industry.

What jobs can you get with a Communication degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?

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

From looking at various LinkedIn profiles of graduates from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with Communication degrees, it's clear that many of them have ventured into roles that span across diverse fields, but not all of those jobs are directly utilizing the specialized skills they learned in their program. A significant number of graduates took on positions in education, like teaching or program coordination, where they employ some level of communication skills. However, roles like project management or sales often lean more towards logistics and customer relations, which don't necessarily require the deep understanding of communication theories and practices that are the core of the degree.

On the flip side, there are others who found positions that are much more aligned with their studies, especially in areas like digital advertising and speech pathology. For instance, roles as Speech Language Pathologists and digital advertising specialists heavily tap into their communication training. Overall, while some graduates managed to find meaningful overlap with their communication expertise, many ended up in jobs where the connection to their degree is more of a loose fit than a direct application—showcasing the challenge of directly translating a Communications degree into a specific career path in today's job market.

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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who studied Communication, it's clear that many have carved out paths that are relevant to their degree, especially in the early years after graduation. Right after getting their diplomas, many grads land jobs in fields like marketing, advertising, or education, which makes sense given the skills developed in their Communication programs. For instance, those graduating around 2010 to 2014 often started in roles like project management or digital advertising, while recent grads from 2023 are securing positions as admissions counselors or executive assistants. It's a mix, but generally, there’s a solid representation in roles that align with communication skills.

Fast forward five or ten years later, and you can find a blend of career histories. Some have climbed the ladder, moving into managerial and coordinator positions, particularly in sectors like education and advertising. Others have made more unconventional career moves or shifted into roles like speech-language pathology, showcasing the versatility of a Communication degree. However, a handful of graduates seem to drift into jobs that may not fully leverage their Communication expertise, like order selector roles or administrative positions that might feel a bit disconnected from their college studies. That said, many grads do seem to find meaningful careers relevant to their background, but there’s definitely a spectrum of experiences—some hitting the mark while others settle into roles that might not feel as aligned with their training. Overall, it looks like a mixed bag, but with a decent number steering towards fulfilling careers in their field of study!

How hard is a Communication degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Communication at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign can be a bit of a mixed bag. Generally speaking, it’s not the hardest degree out there, but it definitely requires a good amount of effort, especially if you're looking to dive deep into topics like media studies, public speaking, or interpersonal communication. You’ll have your share of readings, projects, and presentations, which can be challenging if you’re not into that kind of stuff. But if you enjoy expressing ideas and engaging with others, you'll likely find it manageable and maybe even fun. So, while it has its demands, it’s not overwhelmingly tough compared to some other majors, especially if you stay organized and keep up with your work!

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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign tend to make good money?

Looking at these Communication grads from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, it seems like they’re doing pretty well, but it really varies by job and what they chose to do after college. The ones who went into fields like advertising and digital marketing generally climbed the ladder and likely made decent money, while those who became teachers or went into non-profit work might not be raking in the same salary, especially early on. Some of the recent grads are just starting out with entry-level roles, which usually means lower pay at first. Overall, if you’re aiming for financial stability, sticking to certain industries might give you a better shot, but hey, passion matters too!

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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign). 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