2024 Best Colleges for Journalism in Illinois

We rigorously analyzed earnings after graduation, student loan debt, and a host of other variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Journalism programs in Illinois. We looked at 16 programs to put our Journalism rankings together to help you find the absolute best schools for Journalism in Illinois. ... Read More

If you’re still wondering whether Journalism is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Journalism: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Journalism in Illinois. Earnings are by no means the most important mark of success for a Journalism undergraduate program, but it is a variable that is widely used across universities and colleges in Illinois. In addition to salary, we also provide average student loans metric and other admissions data points.

In addition, if you scroll all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Journalism degree in Illinois.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Journalism Majors in Illinois

What is the best university for majoring in Journalism in Illinois?

Northwestern University is the best university for majoring in Journalism based on earnings data. On average, graduates from Northwestern University earned an average of $45,539 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Journalism in Illinois?

Eastern Illinois University is the cheapest university for majoring in Journalism based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $11,312 to attend Eastern Illinois University.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Journalism in Illinois?

Northwestern University is the most expensive university for majoring in Journalism based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $49,047 to attend Northwestern University.

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#1 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary $45,539
Average Debt $15,500
Program Size 320
Northwestern University
4 Year
Evanston, IL
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Northwestern University, located in Evanston, IL has 320 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn $45,539.
Acceptance Rate 13%
Undergraduates 7,290 students
Tuition $49,047
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#2 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary $36,398
Average Debt $17,544
Program Size 155
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
4 Year
Champaign, IL
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), located in Champaign, IL has 155 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn $36,398.
Acceptance Rate 66%
Undergraduates 12,243 students
Tuition $15,054
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#3 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary $35,416
Average Debt $26,000
Program Size 70
Illinois State University
4 Year
Normal, IL
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Illinois State University, located in Normal, IL has 70 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn $35,416.
Acceptance Rate 88%
Undergraduates 5,164 students
Tuition $13,666
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#4 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary $32,711
Average Debt $21,846
Program Size 47
Loyola University Chicago (LUC)
4 Year
Chicago, IL
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Loyola University Chicago (LUC), located in Chicago, IL has 47 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn $32,711.
Acceptance Rate 71%
Undergraduates 4,485 students
Tuition $40,426
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#5 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary $32,569
Average Debt $26,284
Program Size 121
Columbia College Chicago
4 Year
Chicago, IL
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Columbia College Chicago, located in Chicago, IL has 121 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn $32,569.
Acceptance Rate 88%
Undergraduates 1,998 students
Tuition $24,344
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#6 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary $32,563
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 19
Western Illinois University
4 Year
Macomb, IL
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Western Illinois University, located in Macomb, IL has 19 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn $32,563.
Acceptance Rate 60%
Undergraduates 2,682 students
Tuition $12,889
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#7 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary $31,133
Average Debt $21,523
Program Size 102
DePaul University
4 Year
Chicago, IL
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DePaul University , located in Chicago, IL has 102 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn $31,133.
Acceptance Rate 72%
Undergraduates 6,392 students
Tuition $36,361
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#8 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary $30,771
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 10
Roosevelt University
4 Year
Chicago, IL
Roosevelt University, located in Chicago, IL has 10 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn $30,771.
Acceptance Rate 72%
Undergraduates 1,494 students
Tuition $27,300
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#9 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary $30,047
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 70
Northern Illinois University
4 Year
Dekalb, IL
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Northern Illinois University, located in Dekalb, IL has 70 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn $30,047.
Acceptance Rate 50%
Undergraduates 5,217 students
Tuition $14,295
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#10 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary $29,685
Average Debt $24,174
Program Size 109
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
4 Year
Carbondale, IL
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, located in Carbondale, IL has 109 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn $29,685.
Acceptance Rate 81%
Undergraduates 4,409 students
Tuition $13,137
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#11 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary $29,461
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 16
Bradley University
4 Year
Peoria, IL
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Bradley University, located in Peoria, IL has 16 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn $29,461.
Acceptance Rate 66%
Undergraduates 1,451 students
Tuition $31,480
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#12 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary $23,803
Average Debt $26,386
Program Size 36
Eastern Illinois University
4 Year
Charleston, IL
Eastern Illinois University, located in Charleston, IL has 36 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn $23,803.
Acceptance Rate 50%
Undergraduates 2,354 students
Tuition $11,312
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#13 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 12
Dominican University
4 Year
River Forest, IL
Dominican University, located in River Forest, IL has 12 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 1,036 students
Tuition $30,670
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#14 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 11
North Central College (NCC)
4 Year
Naperville, IL
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North Central College (NCC), located in Naperville, IL has 11 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 57%
Undergraduates 770 students
Tuition $35,421
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#15 Best College for Journalism
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 4
Concordia University-Chicago
4 Year
River Forest, IL
Concordia University-Chicago, located in River Forest, IL has 4 students majoring in Journalism. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 50%
Undergraduates 1,586 students
Tuition $29,520
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Other Major Rankings
Best Journalism Programs by State
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