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2022 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Journalism (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

36 Ranked Colleges
4,627 Degrees Awarded
$21,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 36 colleges that offer a degree in communication and journalism. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and journalism programs and 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.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Journalism Schools

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 in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Journalism (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 854 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $16,784 for illinois communication & journalism students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Northwestern University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Northwestern Communication & Journalism Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 671 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $21,998 for Illinois Communication & Journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UIUC Communication & 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 Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 42 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $17,342 for Illinois Communication & Journalism students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.

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

#4

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern Illinois University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 200 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Illinois University is $21,425 for Illinois Communication & Journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full NIU Communication & Journalism Report

#5

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Governors State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Governors State University is located in University Park, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 53 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Governors State University is $17,845 for illinois communication & journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Governors State University

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 140 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $18,928 for illinois communication & journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full SIUE Communication & Journalism Report

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 91 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also took the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $20,270 for Illinois Communication & Journalism students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Communication & Journalism Report

#8

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Wheaton, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 43 students in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $24,299 for illinois communication & journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Communication & Journalism Report

#9

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. SXU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Xavier University is $18,457 for Illinois Communication & Journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at SXU

#10

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. EIU is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 99 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $19,147 for illinois communication & journalism students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Eastern Illinois University

With a ranking of #11, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 139 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $20,698 for Illinois Communication & Journalism students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend SIUC.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at SIUC

#12

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Aurora, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 44 students in 2019-2020.

Aurora also took the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora University is $19,609 for Illinois Communication & Journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Aurora University

#13

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #13. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 102 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Illinois University is $20,181 for illinois communication & journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Western Illinois University

#14

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Augustana College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Rock Island, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 64 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2019-2020.

Augustana also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Augustana is $23,730 for illinois communication & journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 more about Communication & Journalism at Augustana College

#15

Monmouth College

Monmouth, Illinois

Monmouth College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in Monmouth, Illinois, and it awarded 20 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Monmouth, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,081 for Illinois Communication & Journalism students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Monmouth College.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Monmouth Communication & Journalism Report

#16

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decatur, Illinois. It awarded 18 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois communication & journalism students whose families make $75-$110k list, Millikin has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $23,486 for Illinois Communication & Journalism students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Millikin.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Millikin University

#17

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Illinois State University is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 308 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $25,379 for illinois communication & journalism students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Illinois State University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Communication & Journalism at Illinois State University

#18

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Saint Francis is $20,629 for Illinois Communication & Journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of St Francis

#19

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Dominican U is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

Dominican U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Dominican University is $21,979 for illinois communication & journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 Communication & Journalism at Dominican U

#20

Quincy University

Quincy, Illinois

Quincy University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Quincy U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Quincy, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $18,515 for illinois communication & journalism students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Quincy University.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Quincy U

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 74 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $22,526 for Illinois Communication & Journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Communication & Journalism Report

#22

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 13 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $17,820 for illinois communication & journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Communication & Journalism Report

#23

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

With a ranking of #23, Elmhurst University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Elmhurst, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Elmhurst is $23,604 for Illinois Communication & Journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Elmhurst

#24

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #24. Lake Forest is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lake Forest, Illinois. It awarded 30 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Forest College is $30,189 for Illinois Communication & Journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Full Lake Forest Communication & Journalism Report

#25

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Naperville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 46 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2019-2020.

North Central also took the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Central is $25,778 for illinois communication & journalism students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 more about Communication & Journalism at North Central

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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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