All Columbia College Chicago majors by area
- Arts & Design · 7
- Communications & Media · 6
- Humanities & Languages · 6
- Business & Finance · 2
- Technology & Computing · 2
- Education · 1
- Health & Medicine · 1
- Science & Math · 1
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts and Entertainment Management | $23,844 | $50,592 | $26,000 |
| Graphic / Interior / Fashion Design | $29,630 | $48,601 | $27,000 |
| Studio Art | $22,765 | $42,176 | $26,000 |
| Dance | — | $41,842 | $27,000 |
| Film and Photography | $23,905 | $41,200 | $26,000 |
| Music | $19,943 | $40,734 | $27,000 |
| Theatre | $17,929 | $39,986 | $26,977 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations and Advertising | $39,794 | $66,798 | $26,000 |
| Broadcasting / Digital Media | $24,191 | $54,357 | $25,420 |
| Journalism | $31,369 | $51,639 | $26,000 |
| Graphic Communications | $26,309 | $43,970 | $25,000 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies / Technicians | $20,927 | $43,731 | $27,000 |
| Communications | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $25,999 | $49,593 | $27,000 |
| American Sign Language | $33,775 | $45,619 | $28,818 |
| Ethnic / Gender Studies | — | $44,703 | — |
| Writing | $25,060 | $39,751 | $27,000 |
| English | — | — | — |
| Liberal Arts / General Studies | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing | $36,386 | $65,686 | $26,250 |
| Business Administration | $34,798 | $56,482 | $27,000 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Programming | — | — | — |
| Software and Media Applications | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Elementary / Secondary) | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology / Exercise Science | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | — | — | — |
College Scorecard field of study, latest release: median earnings of graduates who received federal aid, 1 and 4 years after graduating; median federal loan debt. — means too few graduates to report.
From major to career
Graphic / Interior / Fashion Design → Graphic designer
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to shrink 1.7% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Business Administration → Management analyst
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 10.1% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Across all majors, former Columbia College Chicago students earn a median $42,195 ten years after starting college, more than 4% of Illinois colleges we cover. 52% graduate within six years.
Columbia College Chicago majors questions
How many majors does Columbia College Chicago offer?
Columbia College Chicago offers 26 bachelor's majors across 8 areas; the most majors are in Arts & Design and Communications & Media.
What is the highest-paying major at Columbia College Chicago?
Public Relations and Advertising graduates from Columbia College Chicago earn a median $66,798 four years after graduating, the highest of the 18 majors with reported earnings. Their median debt is $26,000.
Which Columbia College Chicago majors earn the least?
Among majors with reported earnings, Writing graduates earn the least: a median $39,751 four years after graduating.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study); Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, Employment Projections). Back to Columbia College Chicago overview