2027 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in Illinois
[Speech Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/) 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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for speech communication students.
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2027 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the speech communication degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Speech Communication Schools
Leading the list is Saint Xavier University, our #1 best value for speech communication in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $26,311. Speech Communication graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $32,169 early in their careers. Set against $26,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #2 place for speech communication. 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 speech communication graduates is $20,340. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $27,071. That is a strong return on a $20,340 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #3 place for speech communication. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $38,490. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $34,142. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the best values for speech communication. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $21,759. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $36,569. That is a strong return on a $21,759 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #6 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $26,543. Speech Communication graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $32,465 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,543 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Illinois State University landed the #7 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $41,670. That is a strong return on a $20,125 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $23,262 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $30,728 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Olivet Nazarene University placed #9 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $23,259. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.
Benedictine University landed the #10 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $30,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Augustana College Illinois landed the #11 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $26,375. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $40,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Mckendree University landed the #12 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,740. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $24,362. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Mckendree University generally make around $51,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $39,321. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Forest College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,402. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $27,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $42,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Northwestern University came in at #15 for value in speech communication this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $18,112 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $69,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,112 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Devry University Illinois ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,008 in tuition and fees. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $56,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Devry University Illinois generally make around $47,622. That is a strong return on a $56,858 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University placed #17 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $22,916 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $40,421. That is a strong return on a $22,916 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #18 for value in speech communication this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $31,495. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
More Speech Communication Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
