Skip to main content

Cheapest Communication and Media Studies Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Millikin University's Communication and Media Studies program delivers the state's lowest net cost at $8,837, despite being a private institution in Decatur. This dramatic cost advantage highlights how financial aid can level the playing field between public and private schools across Illinois's 20 programs. The earnings spread tells an equally compelling story, with graduates earning between $27,497 and $40,375 annually. Chicago's media market, home to major broadcasting networks, advertising agencies, and digital media companies, creates strong job prospects for communication graduates. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign produces the highest-earning graduates at $40,375, while maintaining an 84.90% graduation rate. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with most state schools keeping net costs under $17,000. Illinois's MAP Grant program helps bridge affordability gaps, particularly benefiting students at private institutions where sticker prices can exceed $49,000.
44
Programs
$8,837 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$34,886
Avg. Program Earnings
57.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

44 Communication and Media Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
2 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
3 $9,477 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
4 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
5 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
6 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
7 $12,437 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%
8 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
9 $13,550 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
10 $13,696 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
11 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
12 $15,113 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
13 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
14 $16,157 $12,345 36.9% 92.1%
15 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
16 $16,284 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
17 $16,381 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
18 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
19 $17,610 $15,400 58.2%
20 $18,034 $43,520 60.1% 90.7%
21 $18,191 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
22 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
23 $18,992 $28,220 58.3% 81.9%
24 $18,996 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
25 $20,152 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
26 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
27 $21,270 $30,598 51.4% 94.1%
28 $21,386 $12,320 45.7% 91.3%
29 $21,539 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
30 $21,814 $26,758 52.4% 64.4%
31 $22,048 $28,400 40.6% 86.7%
32 $23,033 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
33 $23,529 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
34 $23,572 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
35 $24,190 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
36 $25,007 $15,356 62.0% 94.1%
37 $25,027 $30,910 53.3% 58.2%
38 $26,788 $32,520 48.5% 94.8%
39 $26,984 $43,930 86.6% 88.4%
40 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
41 $27,499 $54,202 70.4% 59.7%
42 $29,141 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
43 $30,878 $17,488 36.9% 43.0%
44 $35,196 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Millikin University's net cost so much lower than other private schools?

Millikin University offers the state's most affordable Communication and Media Studies program at $8,837 net cost, despite a $26,892 sticker price. This represents a discount of over $18,000 through financial aid packages. The school maintains competitive outcomes with 59.10% graduation rates and $33,459 average earnings. Other private institutions like Augustana College charge net costs of $12,437 with much higher sticker prices at $49,834.

How do graduation rates compare between the most and least expensive programs?

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with an 84.90% graduation rate at a $15,201 net cost, proving that higher costs can correlate with better completion rates. However, Governors State University shows the lowest graduation rate at just 19.60% despite a relatively affordable $9,477 net cost. Augustana College achieves strong 79.20% graduation rates while maintaining reasonable $12,437 net costs. This data suggests that institutional support matters more than price alone for student success.

Does attending a Chicago-area school provide better earning potential?

Chicago schools show mixed earning outcomes, with Saint Xavier University graduates earning $36,992 and University of Illinois Chicago graduates earning $37,363. However, the highest earners actually come from Urbana-Champaign at $40,375, located outside the metro area. Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago produces lower earnings at $32,806. The data suggests that program quality and alumni networks matter more than geographic location for salary outcomes.

What debt levels should students expect from these affordable programs?

Student debt varies significantly across affordable programs, ranging from $15,000 at Northeastern Illinois University to $28,170 at Western Illinois University. The University of Illinois Springfield keeps debt manageable at $16,635 while offering strong $33,993 average earnings. Private schools like Millikin University maintain reasonable $21,149 debt levels despite generous financial aid. Most programs keep debt below $25,000, making them accessible for middle-income families.

Is the University of Illinois system worth the higher net costs?

University of Illinois schools command premium pricing but deliver strong returns on investment. UIC charges $12,313 net cost and produces $37,363 earnings, while UIUC costs $15,201 but generates the highest earnings at $40,375. Both schools maintain graduation rates above 60%, significantly higher than alternatives like Governors State at 19.60%. The system's reputation and alumni networks in Illinois's media industry justify the additional investment for most students.

More Communication and Media Studies Rankings

Best Value Communication and Media Studies in Illinois Communication and Media Studies Under $20,000 in Illinois

Related

All Communication and Media Studies Programs Best Colleges in Illinois Best Communication and Media Studies in Illinois

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