DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 09.04), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Journalism (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Journalism (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0
Best Schools for 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 journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Journalism
No school ranked higher than University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign this year for journalism. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 42 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $36,303 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,300.
Read more about the journalism program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
A rank of #2 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the top schools for journalism. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 29 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $38,302 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the journalism program at Loyola University Chicago
A rank of #3 makes Illinois State University one of the top schools for journalism. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $36,643 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full journalism details for Illinois State University
Depaul University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 31 journalism degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $35,231 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,334.
Read more about the journalism program at Depaul University
Eastern Illinois University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in journalism, ranking #5. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 12 journalism degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in journalism from Eastern Illinois University
North Central College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best 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%. There were roughly 12 journalism students who graduated with this degree at North Central College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their 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.
Read more about the journalism program at North Central College
Northern Illinois University earned the #7 position for journalism this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 13 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $31,753 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750.
See the full journalism program report for Northern Illinois University
Columbia College Chicago earned the #8 position for journalism this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 33 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their 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.
More information about a degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 24 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $40,575 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
Get the full journalism details for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
