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2026 Best Value Sports Communication Schools in Illinois

[Sports Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/sports-communication/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sports communication schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Sports Communication Schools in Illinois

2026 Best Value Sports Communication Schools in Illinois

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports communication degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Sports Communication Schools

1

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

$42,160 In-State Tuition & Fees

$26,819 Avg Student Debt

$66,852 Median Earnings (10yr)

Bradley University earned the #1 spot for value among sports communication schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Sports Communication graduates carry a median of $26,819 in student loans. Early-career sports communication graduates make about $38,351. Set against $26,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.

2

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

$45,405 In-State Tuition & Fees

$24,500 Avg Student Debt

$68,751 Median Earnings (10yr)

Students looking for strong value in sports communication will find it at Depaul University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Sports Communication graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Sports Communication graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $49,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.

View All Sports Communication Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.