2027 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools in Illinois
[Radio, Television & Digital Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong radio, television & digital communication education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for radio, television & digital communication students.
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2027 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the radio, television & digital communication degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools
Lake Land College tops our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools in Illinois. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #2 place for radio, television & digital communication. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Rock Valley College one of the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $41,080. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in radio, television & digital communication will find it at College Of Dupage, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $12,492. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in radio, television & digital communication, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $20,778. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Chicago placed #7 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Chicago State University landed the #8 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $38,434 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $28,643 early in their careers. Set against $38,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #9 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,025 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $25,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #10 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $25,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $24,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Illinois Media School Chicago Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Media School Chicago Campus is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $18,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern University placed #12 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $56,833. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Illinois Media School came in at #13 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Illinois Media School is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $9,500. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $18,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Depaul University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $55,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago placed #15 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $38,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
