Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Colleges for Journalism (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

16 Ranked Colleges
627 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 14,528 people earned their degree in journalism, making the major the 62nd most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $31,042 and had an average of $24,628 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 627 journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,000 and $27,965 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 16 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in journalism. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great journalism programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the journalism program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Journalism (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 271 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $6,452 for Illinois Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Journalism at Northwestern

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIUC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $13,351 for Illinois Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Journalism Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Springfield. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. UIS is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIS has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIS is $11,857 for Illinois Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Journalism at UIS

#4

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Augustana College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. This small school is located in Rock Island, Illinois, and it awarded 22 ’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, Augustana has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Augustana is $21,453 for illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at Augustana College

#5

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Illinois University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 28 ’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, NIU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Illinois University is $18,346 for illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Journalism at Northern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

SIUC also made our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $14,985 for illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Read more about Journalism at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#7

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Charleston, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for EIU is $13,560 for illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Eastern Illinois University Journalism Report

#8

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Illinois State is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 33 ’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $19,080 for illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Journalism at Illinois State University

#9

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. WIU is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 3 ’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Illinois University is $15,912 for illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Western Illinois University Journalism Report

#10

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Dominican University is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also took the #8 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,582 for Illinois Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Dominican University.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Journalism at Dominican U

#11

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Naperville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

North Central also took the #4 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Central College is $23,353 for Illinois Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at North Central College

#12

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, Bradley University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $22,865 for Illinois Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Bradley.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Journalism at Bradley

#13

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $17,295 for illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Journalism Report

#14

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 34 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, Columbia has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $31,071 for illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Columbia.

Read more about Journalism at Columbia College Chicago

#15

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, DePaul University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 62 ’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, DePaul has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend DePaul is $28,075 for Illinois Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full DePaul University Journalism Report

#16

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 29 ’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also made our “Best Journalism Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola Chicago is $32,259 for Illinois Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Loyola Chicago Journalism Report

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Jfurrer.

Featured Communications / Public Relations Schools

Find Schools Near You