Best Communication and Media Studies Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 33 colleges offering Communication and Media Studies programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 2,125 recent graduates. Graduates earn $34,886 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $33,406.

School choice matters significantly: Northwestern University graduates earn $48,041 while North Park University graduates earn $23,182 — a $24,859 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in IL

$34,886

IL Avg. Earnings

$33,406

National Avg.

777

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Communication and Media Studies in Illinois

Public Schools (11)

$35,157

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (21)

$34,389

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Illinois produce comparable or higher early earnings for Communication and Media Studies graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Communication and Media Studies Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

$48,041

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $48,590

Graduates: 49

Acceptance: 7.1%

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 90.4%

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$40,375

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,661

Graduates: 298

Acceptance: 43.7%

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL · Private

$41,007

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $45,662

Graduates: 39

Acceptance: 59.4%

Augustana College

Rock Island, IL · Private

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,691

Graduates: 45

Acceptance: 67.7%

Wheaton College

Wheaton, IL · Private

$37,748

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,982

Graduates: 45

Acceptance: 90.0%

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$37,208

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,645

Graduates: 205

Acceptance: 89.0%

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$35,988

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,388

Graduates: 52

Acceptance: 81.4%

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public

$34,206

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,917

Graduates: 144

Acceptance: 67.8%

#10

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public

$37,363

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,434

Graduates: 82

Acceptance: 78.5%

#11

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

$34,244

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,913

Graduates: 187

Acceptance: 73.5%

#12

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public

$37,541

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,427

Graduates: 283

Acceptance: 70.5%

#13

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL · Private

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,221

Graduates: 49

Acceptance: 84.4%

#15

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$30,554

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,924

Graduates: 137

Acceptance: 97.2%

#16

DeVry University-Illinois

Lisle, IL · For-Profit

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$33,535

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,104

Graduates: 106

Acceptance: 75.0%

#18

Aurora University

Aurora, IL · Private

$36,049

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,172

Graduates: 69

Acceptance: 85.1%

#19

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public

$32,806

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,555

Graduates: 113

Acceptance: 70.4%

#20

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, IL · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,944

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 97.5%

#21

Benedictine University

Lisle, IL · Private

$26,739

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,237

Graduates: 41

Acceptance: 77.2%

#22

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, IL · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,363

Graduates: 23

Acceptance: 88.6%

#23

Governors State University

University Park, IL · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,272

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: N/A

#24

Monmouth College

Monmouth, IL · Private

Millikin University

Decatur, IL · Private

$33,459

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,719

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 54.0%

#26

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL · Private

$36,992

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,287

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 85.8%

#27

Concordia University-Chicago

River Forest, IL · Private

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL · Private

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL · Private

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL · Private

Trinity International University-Illinois

Deerfield, IL · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,836

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 93.2%

#32

Eureka College

Eureka, IL · Private

North Park University

Chicago, IL · Private

$23,182

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 72.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Communication and Media Studies in Illinois?

Northwestern University ranks #1 for Communication and Media Studies in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $48,041 within two years of graduation. There are 33 schools offering Communication and Media Studies programs in the state.

How much do Communication and Media Studies graduates earn in Illinois?

Communication and Media Studies graduates in Illinois earn an average of $34,886 within two years of graduation. This is 4% above the national average of $33,406 for this major.

What is the hardest Communication and Media Studies school to get into in Illinois?

Northwestern University is the most selective Communication and Media Studies program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 7.1%. The average acceptance rate across Communication and Media Studies programs in the state is 75.7%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Communication and Media Studies in Illinois?

In Illinois, private Communication and Media Studies programs produce average earnings of $34,389 vs $35,157 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 11 public and 21 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Civil Engineering $61,502 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318

All colleges in Illinois →

Communication and Media Studies in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.