2027 Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value journalism schools.
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2027 Best Value Journalism Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Journalism Schools
Leading the list is Eastern Illinois University, our #1 best value for journalism in Illinois. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $24,293. Early-career journalism graduates make about $43,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $36,303. That is a strong return on a $22,300 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #3. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $40,575 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $31,753. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #5 spot 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. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $36,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago placed #6 among the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $31,369 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Depaul University earned the #7 position for value in journalism this year. 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. Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,334 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $35,231 early in their careers. Set against $24,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $38,302. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
