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Best Colleges for Communications in Illinois

The best colleges for a Communications degree in Illinois, led by Northwestern University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Loyola University Chicago. Each school is shown with its acceptance rate, tuition, and average SAT so you can weigh Communications programs side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best college for Communications in Illinois?

Based on our rankings, Northwestern University is the top-ranked college for Communications in Illinois. Other top choices include University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Loyola University Chicago, DePaul University.

What are the best Communications schools?

The best Communications schools, based on program-specific federal data including median earnings and graduate counts, are Northwestern University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Loyola University Chicago. Our rankings use College Scorecard field-of-study data rather than editorial opinion.

How much does it cost to study Communications?

The average out-of-state tuition among top Communications programs is approximately $37,824 per year. However, costs vary significantly — many schools offer generous financial aid packages that can reduce the effective cost.

How long does it take to get a Communications degree?

A bachelor's degree in Communications typically takes four years of full-time study. Some programs offer accelerated tracks or combined bachelor's-to-master's options that can extend or shorten the timeline.

How are these Communications rankings determined?

Our major rankings are independently calculated from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study (CIP) data — primarily median earnings 4 years after graduation and program scale (graduate count), with a 10+ annual graduates minimum per program. They are not derived from US News or any other publication.

Career outcomes for Communications graduates

Among the top 10 ranked Communications programs, the average early-career salary is approximately $66,871 per year. Below are the highest-paying Communications programs based on federal College Scorecard earnings data reported by graduates four years after completion.

  1. 1. Northwestern University — Evanston, IL · 7.7% acceptance · SAT 1,533 · $68,322 tuition · 95% grad rate
  2. 2. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, IL · 42.4% acceptance · SAT 1,440 · $35,124 tuition · 85% grad rate
  3. 3. Loyola University Chicago — Chicago, IL · 81.6% acceptance · SAT 1,297 · $53,710 tuition · 73% grad rate
  4. 4. DePaul University — Chicago, IL · 75.9% acceptance · SAT 1,262 · $45,999 tuition · 68% grad rate
  5. 5. Wheaton College — Wheaton, IL · 87.4% acceptance · SAT 1,380 · $45,546 tuition · 85% grad rate
  6. 6. Western Illinois University — Macomb, IL · 71.2% acceptance · $15,264 tuition · 45% grad rate
  7. 7. Olivet Nazarene University — Bourbonnais, IL · 55.9% acceptance · SAT 1,117 · $38,900 tuition · 61% grad rate
  8. 8. Augustana College — Rock Island, IL · 62.7% acceptance · SAT 1,165 · $51,598 tuition · 73% grad rate
  9. 9. Lewis University — Romeoville, IL · 71.3% acceptance · SAT 1,096 · $39,200 tuition · 67% grad rate
  10. 10. Northern Illinois University — Dekalb, IL · 69.8% acceptance · $13,248 tuition · 49% grad rate
  11. 11. Lake Forest College — Lake Forest, IL · 56.8% acceptance · SAT 1,343 · $56,402 tuition · 78% grad rate
  12. 12. Eastern Illinois University — Charleston, IL · 65.4% acceptance · SAT 1,000 · $16,217 tuition · 47% grad rate
  13. 13. Northeastern Illinois University — Chicago, IL · 74.6% acceptance · $22,726 tuition · 22% grad rate
  14. 14. Benedictine University — Lisle, IL · 95.2% acceptance · $35,940 tuition · 50% grad rate
  15. 15. Aurora University — Aurora, IL · 80.9% acceptance · SAT 1,076 · $29,170 tuition · 60% grad rate

Best Colleges for Communications in Illinois on PickACampus