2026 Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong journalism education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for journalism students.
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2026 Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Journalism Schools
Our analysis ranked Eastern Illinois University the best value for a degree in journalism in Illinois. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $36,303. Set against $22,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $31,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #4 place for journalism. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $40,575. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Illinois State University one of the best values for journalism. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $36,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
North Central College came in at #6 for value in journalism this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,726. Students borrow a median of $25,699 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of North Central College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,699 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago placed #7 among the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $31,369. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #8 for value in journalism this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $24,334. Early-career journalism graduates make about $35,231. That is a strong return on a $24,334 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #9 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $23,000. Early-career journalism graduates make about $38,302. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
