2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.
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 $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 35 colleges that offered a degree in communication and media studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and media studies programs and 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k
The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k) in 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 $48-$75k list. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 187 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $6,452 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Northwestern
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 Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 336 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $13,351 for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national 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.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 91 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $13,683 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Springfield. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 38 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIS has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIS is $11,857 for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wheaton College Illinois landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Wheaton, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 43 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Wheaton College Illinois has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $19,691 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.
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%. 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 & Media Studies at Wheaton College Illinois
Northern Illinois University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 172 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, NIU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,346 for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend NIU.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 140 students in 2019-2020.
SIUE also took the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $13,705 for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a ranking of #8, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 57 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
EIU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $13,560 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Eastern Illinois University Communication & Media Studies Report
Saint Xavier University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Saint Xavier University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 26 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
SXU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Xavier University is $14,907 for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Saint Xavier University
Augustana College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Augustana is a small school located in Rock Island, Illinois that handed out 42 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Augustana did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Augustana College is $21,453 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Augustana College
Lake Forest College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
Lake Forest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Lake Forest is $24,683 for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Lake Forest
Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 195 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Illinois State also took the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $19,080 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 & Media Studies at Illinois State University
With a ranking of #13, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. SIUC 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 SIUC is $14,985 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Communication & Media Studies Report
Governors State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Governors State University is a small school located in University Park, Illinois that handed out 53 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $11,872 for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend GSU.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Governors State University
Aurora University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. This medium-sized school is located in Aurora, Illinois, and it awarded 44 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Aurora has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $15,881 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Aurora.
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%.
Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
WIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend WIU is $15,912 for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Western Illinois University
University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. University of St 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 estimated yearly cost for University of St Francis is $14,220 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 University of Saint Francis Communication & Media Studies Report
Monmouth College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Monmouth is located in Monmouth, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
Monmouth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Monmouth is $15,960 for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Elmhurst University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Elmhurst is located in Elmhurst, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
Elmhurst also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $19,703 for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Elmhurst University.
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%.
Millikin University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Millikin University is located in Decatur, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
Millikin also took the #21 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Millikin University is $20,390 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
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
North Central College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Naperville, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
North Central also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $23,353 for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend North Central College.
The low student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 North Central College Communication & Media Studies Report
Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Olivet Nazarene is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene is $17,841 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Olivet Nazarene University
Dominican University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 1 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Dominican U has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dominican U is $18,582 for Illinois Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
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.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 74 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $18,180 for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Northeastern Illinois University
Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 11 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $17,295 for illinois communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Concordia 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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland.
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