2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 63 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Leading the list is Lake Land College, our #1 best value for communication & journalism in Illinois. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Dupage earned it the #2 place for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $12,492. Communication & Journalism graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #3 place for communication & journalism. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $38,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,322. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $32,050 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #5 makes Governors State University one of the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $20,340 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $27,071 early in their careers. Set against $20,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #6 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,677. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $51,506. Set against $22,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Western Illinois University landed the #7 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $29,659 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $33,423 early in their careers. Set against $29,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University came in at #8 for value in communication & journalism this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $26,311 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $32,169 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,311 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #9 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,058. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $36,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #10 among the best values for communication & journalism. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,630 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $32,538 early in their careers. Set against $15,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #11 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,759 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $36,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,759 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University placed #12 among the best values for communication & journalism. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,008 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $39,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $53,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago came in at #14 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $58,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #15 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,668 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $36,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago placed #16 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,559. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $41,876. That is a strong return on a $22,559 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University placed #18 among the best values for communication & journalism. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $51,611. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Aurora University earned the #19 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $30,728. Set against $23,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Olivet Nazarene University earned the #20 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $23,259. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
North Central College earned the #21 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,726. Students borrow a median of $26,906 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $47,578. That is a strong return on a $26,906 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Benedictine University earned the #22 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $30,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University placed #23 among the best values for communication & journalism. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Students borrow a median of $26,832 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $38,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago earned the #24 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,971. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $35,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $39,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & journalism:
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
View All Communication & Journalism Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
