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2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

35 Ranked Colleges
2,073 Degrees Awarded
$13,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Communication & Media Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 9th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 68,079 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,728 and had an average of $24,931 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 2,073 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,543 and $26,465 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 35 colleges that offered a degree in communication and media studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication and media studies programs, but they also 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 communication and media studies program at the school. 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 Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) 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 Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 187 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $3,995 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northwestern University

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 Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 336 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,464 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Communication & Media Studies Report

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #3 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 140 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $9,938 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at SIUE

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Springfield. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 38 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $8,323 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UIS

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIC has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $11,185 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 & Media Studies Report

#6

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 57 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Illinois University is $11,316 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full EIU Communication & Media Studies Report

#7

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 172 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, NIU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $15,861 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northern Illinois University.

Full Northern Illinois University Communication & Media Studies Report

#8

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, Saint Xavier University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 26 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, SXU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SXU is $11,962 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Saint Xavier University Communication & Media Studies Report

#9

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Illinois State University is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 195 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State is $14,999 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Illinois State

#10

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in University Park, Illinois, and it awarded 53 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Governors State University is $12,046 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Governors State University

#11

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #11, Lake Forest College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lake Forest, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Forest is $19,152 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Lake Forest College

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 53 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, WIU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WIU is $14,526 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Western Illinois University Communication & Media Studies Report

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $14,306 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#14

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is located in Wheaton, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 43 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Wheaton College Illinois also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $16,212 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Wheaton College Illinois

#15

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Saint Francis is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

University of Saint Francis also took the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of St Francis is $11,229 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full University of Saint Francis Communication & Media Studies Report

#16

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Aurora is a private not-for-profit institution located in Aurora, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Aurora is $13,845 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Aurora University

#17

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Rock Island, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 42 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

Augustana also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $16,249 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Augustana.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Augustana College Communication & Media Studies Report

#18

Monmouth College

Monmouth, Illinois

Monmouth College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Monmouth, Illinois, and it awarded 13 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Monmouth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,337 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Monmouth.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Monmouth

#19

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Elmhurst, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, Elmhurst has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,837 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Elmhurst.

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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Elmhurst

#20

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 1 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also took the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dominican University is $17,586 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Dominican University Communication & Media Studies Report

With a ranking of #21, Northeastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 74 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $15,513 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northeastern Illinois University

#22

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decatur, Illinois. It awarded 18 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Millikin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $17,692 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Millikin.

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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Millikin University

#23

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Bradley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $18,232 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bradley.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Bradley University

#24

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 24 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene University is $15,390 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Olivet Nazarene University Communication & Media Studies Report

#25

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,406 for illinois communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Communication & Media Studies Report

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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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