College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois

25 Colleges in the United States
1,363 Communication & Media Studies Degrees Awarded
$38,198 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communication & Media Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies 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 communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Communication & Media Studies

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign this year for communication & media studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 238 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 84 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Northwestern University earn around $69,611 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,112. Get the full communication & media studies details for Northwestern University

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 81 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $38,912 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

4

A rank of #4 makes Illinois State University one of the top schools for communication & media studies. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 154 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Illinois State University earn around $41,670 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for Illinois State University

5
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 137 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $40,421 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,916 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Depaul University

6

Wheaton College Illinois earned the #6 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 26 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $39,321 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Wheaton College Illinois

7

Loyola University Chicago came in at #7 for communication & media studies this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $31,495 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full communication & media studies details for Loyola University Chicago

8

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #8 among the best communication & media studies schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 104 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $36,569 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $21,759 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

9

National Louis University came in at #9 for communication & media studies this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. There were roughly 20 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at National Louis University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from National Louis University earn around $53,733 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at National Louis University

10

Mckendree University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lebanon. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Mckendree University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Mckendree University generally make around $51,068. Typical student debt for the program is $24,362. See the full communication & media studies program report for Mckendree University

11

Northern Illinois University landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 99 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $38,490 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Northern Illinois University

12

Augustana College Illinois placed #12 among the best communication & media studies schools. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. About 73% of students finish within six years. Augustana College Illinois awarded about 16 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $40,806 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,375. See the full communication & media studies program report for Augustana College Illinois

13

Eastern Illinois University earned the #13 position for communication & media studies this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 62 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $40,683 in the first couple years of their career. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Eastern Illinois University

14

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #14 spot for communication & media studies this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. About 46 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $32,538. Typical student debt for the program is $15,630. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Northeastern Illinois University

15
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College placed #15 among the best communication & media studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lake Forest. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Lake Forest College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Lake Forest College earn around $42,835 in the first couple years of their career. Lake Forest College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for Lake Forest College

16

University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates 52% of students within six years. About 35 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $32,050. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $24,322 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Illinois At Springfield

17

Benedictine University earned the #17 position for communication & media studies this year. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 17 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Benedictine University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $30,334 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Benedictine University

18
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #18 position for communication & media studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aurora. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Aurora University awarded about 22 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Aurora University earn around $30,728 in the first couple years of their career. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $23,262 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for Aurora University

19

Saint Xavier University earned the #19 position for communication & media studies this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 22 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Saint Xavier University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Saint Xavier University earn around $32,169 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,311. See the full communication & media studies program report for Saint Xavier University

20

Columbia College Chicago earned the #20 position for communication & media studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. About 12 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,160. Students borrow a median of $26,557 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Columbia College Chicago

21
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 21% of students finish within six years. Governors State University awarded about 22 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $27,071. Governors State University graduates carry a median of $20,340 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Governors State University

22

Western Illinois University came in at #22 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. There were roughly 28 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Western Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $34,142 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,000. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Western Illinois University

23

Olivet Nazarene University placed #23 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Olivet Nazarene University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 17 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $23,259. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Olivet Nazarene University

24

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #24 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 36 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $32,465. Typical student debt for the program is $26,543. See the full communication & media studies program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

25

Devry University Illinois landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies this year. Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. The six-year graduation rate is 18%. About 13 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Devry University Illinois in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Devry University Illinois earn around $47,622 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $56,858. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Devry University Illinois

View All Communication & Media Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options