2027 Best General Journalism Schools in Illinois
General Journalism programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools to find the best for general journalism students.
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Best Schools for General Journalism in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general journalism education in Illinois.
Top Schools in General Journalism
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign tops our 2027 ranking of the best general journalism schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 44 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $36,303 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete this degree.
See the full general journalism program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general journalism, ranking #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 26 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $38,302 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
Get the full general journalism details for Loyola University Chicago
Illinois State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general journalism, ranking #3. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $36,643 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500.
Read more about the general journalism program at Illinois State University
A rank of #4 makes Depaul University one of the top schools for general journalism. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. Depaul University awarded about 31 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $35,231 early in their careers. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $24,334 in student loans.
Read more about the general journalism program at Depaul University
Eastern Illinois University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general journalism, ranking #5. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 general journalism degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $43,603 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete this degree.
See the full general journalism program report for Eastern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best general journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 general journalism degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $31,753 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750.
More information about a degree in general journalism from Northern Illinois University
Columbia College Chicago landed the #7 spot for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $31,369 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full general journalism program report for Columbia College Chicago
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #8 position for general journalism this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 19 general journalism degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $40,575. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans.
Get the full general journalism details for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
More General Journalism Rankings
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
- 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.
