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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Journalism (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

14 Ranked Colleges
729 Degrees Awarded
$21,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master's in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Communication & Journalism is the 11th most popular major in the country with 121,387 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, communication and journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,549 and had an average of $24,893 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 4,627 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,616 and $26,576 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 729 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,267 and $46,814 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 14 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication and journalism. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication and journalism programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication and journalism program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 14 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Journalism (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 485 diplomas to qualified masters’s communication and journalism students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Full Northwestern Communication & Journalism Report

#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 masters’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at UIUC

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 12 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #4 spot on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communication and journalism degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Illinois at Chicago

#5

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Illinois University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Charleston, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified masters’s communication and journalism students in 2019-2020.

EIU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Eastern Illinois University

#6

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Governors State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. GSU is a small public school situated in University Park, Illinois. It awarded 10 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, GSU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Governors State University are $14,674, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Governors State University Communication & Journalism Report

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 10 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIS has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Illinois at Springfield

#8

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

Illinois State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communication and journalism degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Illinois State

#9

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 8 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northern Illinois University Communication & Journalism Report

#6 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 15 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Communication & Journalism Report

#11

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Western Illinois University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified masters’s communication and journalism students in 2019-2020.

WIU also took the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Western Illinois University Communication & Journalism Report

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 4 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeastern Illinois University, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Northeastern Illinois University

#13

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

DePaul University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. DePaul University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 79 masters’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, DePaul has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul University are $19,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full DePaul Communication & Journalism Report

#14

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 23 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Loyola University Chicago

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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.

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