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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Journalism Schools in Illinois

10 Colleges in the United States
225 General Journalism Degrees Awarded
$37,781 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Journalism degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools to find the best for general journalism students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Journalism in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Journalism

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign the best school in the country for a degree in general journalism. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $36,303. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete this degree. Get the full general journalism details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general journalism, ranking #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 29 general journalism degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $38,302. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general journalism program at Loyola University Chicago

3

Illinois State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general journalism, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 36 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $36,643 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for Illinois State University

4
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general journalism, ranking #4. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 31 general journalism degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Depaul University earn around $35,231 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,334. Get the full general journalism details for Depaul University

5

Eastern Illinois University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 12 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete this degree. Read more about the general journalism program at Eastern Illinois University

6
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College placed #6 among the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 12 general journalism degrees were awarded at North Central College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from North Central College earn around $46,247 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,699 to complete this degree. See the full general journalism program report for North Central College

7

Northern Illinois University placed #7 among the best general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $31,753 early in their careers. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Read more about the general journalism program at Northern Illinois University

8

Columbia College Chicago landed the #8 spot for general journalism this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 26 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Columbia College Chicago earn around $31,369 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general journalism program at Columbia College Chicago

9

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #9 position for general journalism this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 general journalism degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $40,575 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. Get the full general journalism details for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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