2026 Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in communication & journalism. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of Chicago

2

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 772 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $62,182. Students borrow a median of $15,954 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & journalism details for Northwestern University

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for a strong communication & journalism program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 504 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $51,506 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $22,677 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong communication & journalism program will find one at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 95 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $38,912 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

5

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Students looking for a strong communication & journalism program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 283 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $41,876 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,559 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for Illinois State University

6

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago landed the #6 spot for communication & journalism this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. About 12 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Concordia University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $58,760. Concordia University Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Concordia University Chicago

7

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago landed the #7 spot for communication & journalism this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 195 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $41,882 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $24,497 in student loans. Read more about the communication & journalism program at Loyola University Chicago

8

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 300 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $47,243 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,320 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & journalism details for Depaul University

9

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois placed #9 among the best communication & journalism schools. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 34 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $39,321 in their early career. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full communication & journalism details for Wheaton College Illinois

10

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. About 18 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Typical student debt for the program is $12,492. Read more about the communication & journalism program at College Of Dupage

11

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University landed the #11 spot for communication & journalism this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 137 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $39,162 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,008. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Eastern Illinois University

12

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. National Louis University graduates 30% of students within six years. National Louis University awarded about 22 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $53,733 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from National Louis University

13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 103 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $36,569 in their early career. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $21,759 in student loans. See the full communication & journalism program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

14

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College came in at #14 for communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 28 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Lake Forest College in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $42,835 in their early career. Lake Forest College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full communication & journalism program report for Lake Forest College

15

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 22% of students finish within six years. About 32 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $32,538 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,630. Read more about the communication & journalism program at Northeastern Illinois University

16

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University came in at #16 for communication & journalism this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 85 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $36,091. Typical student debt for the program is $26,058. Get the full communication & journalism details for Northern Illinois University

17

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 19 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $30,728. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $23,262 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Aurora University

18

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College landed the #18 spot for communication & journalism this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mattoon. About 24 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Lake Land College in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $30,294 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for Lake Land College

19

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College earned the #19 position for communication & journalism this year. 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%. North Central College awarded about 26 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of North Central College earn a median of $47,578 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,906. Read more about the communication & journalism program at North Central College

20

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #20 among the best communication & journalism schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Springfield awarded about 36 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $32,050. Typical student debt for the program is $24,322. Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Illinois At Springfield

21

Benedictine University
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Benedictine University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 11 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Benedictine University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Benedictine University earn around $30,334 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Benedictine University

22

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University came in at #22 for communication & journalism this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Illinois University awarded about 71 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Western Illinois University earn around $33,423 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,659. Get the full communication & journalism details for Western Illinois University

23

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University came in at #23 for communication & journalism this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Xavier University awarded about 22 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Saint Xavier University earn around $32,169 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,311 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & journalism details for Saint Xavier University

24

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University landed the #24 spot for communication & journalism this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 61 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $38,244. Typical student debt for the program is $26,832. See the full communication & journalism program report for Bradley University

25

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #25 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Olivet Nazarene University graduates 61% of students within six years. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 26 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $23,259. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for Olivet Nazarene University