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Best Value Journalism Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Northwestern University journalism graduates earn $43,100 annually while peers at Western Illinois start at $22,578, creating a $20,500 salary gap that reflects the stark divide between elite and regional programs across Illinois. The state's 19 journalism programs range from $11,592 to $35,196 in net costs, with public universities offering particularly strong value propositions. Chicago's media market, home to the Tribune, Sun-Times, and major broadcast networks, provides ample internship and entry-level opportunities that benefit students from both expensive private colleges and affordable state schools. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign stands out with $35,546 median earnings at just $15,201 net cost, while Southern Illinois University-Carbondale accepts 91% of applicants for those seeking accessible admission paths.
19
Programs
$11,592 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$30,260
Avg. Program Earnings
62.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Journalism Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $15,201 $35,546 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
2 $12,909 $29,250 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
3 $11,592 $22,578 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
4 $14,093 $23,803 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
5 $16,177 $27,301 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
6 $18,996 $31,851 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
7 $27,143 $43,100 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
8 $20,152 $30,771 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
9 $23,572 $29,461 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
10 $26,788 $30,635 $32,520 48.5% 94.8%
11 $29,141 $30,771 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
12 $35,196 $28,055 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%
13 $24,875 $55,587 67.5% 73.3%
14 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
15 $23,033 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
16 $23,529 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
17 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
18 $15,113 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
19 $12,437 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign the best value for journalism in Illinois?

UIUC delivers strong return on investment with graduates earning $35,546 annually while students pay just $15,201 in net costs. The program maintains high standards with a 44.82% acceptance rate and achieves an 84.90% graduation rate. Students benefit from proximity to Chicago media markets while receiving education from one of the Midwest's top public research universities.

How do private journalism programs in Illinois compare to public options?

Private programs cost significantly more, with net prices ranging from $18,370 at Lewis University to $35,196 at Loyola University Chicago. However, Northwestern University justifies its $27,143 cost with the highest graduate earnings at $43,100 and a 95.90% graduation rate. Most other private schools produce similar earnings to public universities while charging double the tuition.

Does attending Northwestern University guarantee better journalism career outcomes?

Northwestern graduates earn $43,100 annually, about $7,500 more than the next highest-earning program at UIUC. The university's 7.21% acceptance rate reflects its selectivity, while the $14,834 median debt load remains reasonable despite high sticker prices. However, several public universities produce graduates earning over $30,000 at much lower costs.

Where can journalism students find the most affordable programs in Illinois?

Western Illinois University offers the lowest net cost at $11,592, though graduates earn $22,578 annually. Northern Illinois University provides better value with $12,909 net costs and $29,250 graduate earnings. Eastern Illinois University costs $14,093 and produces similar salary outcomes, making these three schools ideal for budget-conscious students.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.