2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in Illinois

1

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University tops our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $16,420. Communication Sciences graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $64,446 early in their careers. Set against $16,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.

2

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $25,500. Communication Sciences graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $59,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

3

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,375. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $56,611. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

4

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Augustana College Illinois earned it the #4 place for communication sciences. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $39,096. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

5

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #5 place for communication sciences. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $46,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

6

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $53,653 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #7 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $49,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

8

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University came in at #8 for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $59,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.

9

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #9 position for value in communication sciences this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $22,225. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $49,096. Set against $22,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

10

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #10 among the best values for communication sciences. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $55,718. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.

11

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #11 position for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,500. Communication Sciences graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $54,477 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

12

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College came in at #12 for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences 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.

13

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University earned the #13 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $16,616. Communication Sciences graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $72,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

14

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #14 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $25,310. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $55,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.