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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools in Illinois

8 Colleges in the United States
1,111 Radio, Television & Digital Communication Degrees Awarded
$38,980 Avg Early-Career Salary

Radio, Television & Digital Communication programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for radio, television & digital communication students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Radio, Television & Digital Communication 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 radio, television & digital communication degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Radio, Television & Digital Communication

1

Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for radio, television & digital communication. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 44 radio, television & digital communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the radio, television & digital communication program make about $81,002 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. See the full radio, television & digital communication program report for University Of Chicago

2

A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for radio, television & digital communication. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 675 radio, television & digital communication degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $56,833 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Read more about the radio, television & digital communication program at Northwestern University

3
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in radio, television & digital communication, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. Depaul University awarded about 33 radio, television & digital communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their radio, television & digital communication degree from Depaul University earn around $55,226 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,310. More information about a degree in radio, television & digital communication from Depaul University

4

Eastern Illinois University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best radio, television & digital communication schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. About 47% of students finish within six years. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 36 radio, television & digital communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete this degree. See the full radio, television & digital communication program report for Eastern Illinois University

5
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

A rank of #5 makes College Of Dupage one of the top schools for radio, television & digital communication. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. College Of Dupage awarded about 18 radio, television & digital communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their radio, television & digital communication degree from College Of Dupage earn around $43,025 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in radio, television & digital communication from College Of Dupage

6
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best radio, television & digital communication schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mattoon. About 24 radio, television & digital communication degrees were awarded at Lake Land College in the most recent year. Graduates of the radio, television & digital communication program make about $30,294 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,769. See the full radio, television & digital communication program report for Lake Land College

7

Loyola University Chicago ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best radio, television & digital communication schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 34 radio, television & digital communication degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $38,312. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the radio, television & digital communication program at Loyola University Chicago

8

Bradley University placed #8 among the best radio, television & digital communication schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 radio, television & digital communication students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their radio, television & digital communication degree from Bradley University earn around $32,742 in the first couple years of their career. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the radio, television & digital communication program at Bradley University

9

Columbia College Chicago placed #9 among the best radio, television & digital communication schools. 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 35 radio, television & digital communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their radio, television & digital communication degree from Columbia College Chicago earn around $24,191 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,420 in student loans. More information about a degree in radio, television & digital communication from Columbia College Chicago

10

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best radio, television & digital communication schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 23 radio, television & digital communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the radio, television & digital communication program make about $25,057 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,025. See the full radio, television & digital communication program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

11

Illinois Media School landed the #11 spot for radio, television & digital communication this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Media School is a small private for-profit institution. Illinois Media School awarded about 64 radio, television & digital communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Illinois Media School generally make around $18,740. Illinois Media School graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Get the full radio, television & digital communication details for Illinois Media School

12

Illinois Media School Chicago Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best radio, television & digital communication schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Media School Chicago Campus is a small private for-profit institution. About 113 radio, television & digital communication degrees were awarded at Illinois Media School Chicago Campus in the most recent year. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Illinois Media School Chicago Campus earn a median of $18,740 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. See the full radio, television & digital communication program report for Illinois Media School Chicago Campus

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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