2026 Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools in Illinois

[General Communication Sciences & Disorders](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/communication-sciences-and-disorders-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general communication sciences & disorders students.
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2026 Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general communication sciences & disorders, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools
Governors State University earned the #1 spot for value among general communication sciences & disorders schools in Illinois. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $25,500. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $59,492. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #2 place for general communication sciences & disorders. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $20,375. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $56,611. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Augustana College Illinois is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general communication sciences & disorders, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $39,096. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #4 place for general communication sciences & disorders. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $22,500. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $46,477. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general communication sciences & disorders schools. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, general communication sciences & disorders degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $59,451. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #6 position for value in general communication sciences & disorders this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $22,225. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $49,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College landed the #7 spot for general communication sciences & disorders value this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Soon after graduation, general communication sciences & disorders degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $57,711. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
Northwestern University came in at #8 for value in general communication sciences & disorders this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $72,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.