Rankings / By State
Best Communications Colleges in Illinois
- 25
- Schools
- $59,960
- Avg. Earnings
- 60%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,918
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,050
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 25 schools run from $42,195 to $89,363, a 2.1× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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University of Illinois Springfield delivers the most for the money: roughly $57,103 in median earnings against $9,833 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, University of Illinois Springfield ($9,833 net price), still posts $57,103 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Northwestern University graduates 96% of its students, versus a 60% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Northwestern University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.17× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- University of Illinois Springfield costs $9,833 a year and Loyola University Chicago costs $36,079. Yet their graduates earn $57,103 and $71,530, nowhere near the $26,246 price gap.
- On value, University of Illinois Springfield beats Northwestern University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Northwestern University finishes 96% of students while Chicago State University finishes 16%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with University of Illinois Springfield and Northwestern University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $59K within a decade, and pr specialist roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Northwestern University #1 overall | $89,363 ▲ +49% vs avg | $29,167 | 96% | 86 |
| 2 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville #2 overall | $56,346 ▼ -6% vs avg | $14,889 | 56% | 75 |
| 3 Illinois State University #3 overall | $62,117 ▲ +4% vs avg | $19,398 | 65% | 74 |
| $51,989 ▼ -13% vs avg | $12,786 | 46% | 73 | |
| $81,054 ▲ +35% vs avg | $14,355 | 85% | 71 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Communications Colleges in Illinois
This analysis ranks 25 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $59,960 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 60% and an average net price of $19,918.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Illinois Springfield — Net Price: $9,833 | Graduation Rate: 57%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Northwestern University — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Northwestern University — Median alumni earnings: $89,363
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Humanities & Creative Fields Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the value of a humanities and creative education?
$58,614
Median earnings (10yr)
58%
Median graduation rate
$18,374
Median net price
1.7%
Avg. mobility rate
Arts, communications, and humanities programs draw perpetual skepticism about their payoff. Early earnings do start lower, and the path is less linear. The core skills compound, though. Writing, judgment, persuasion, and creative problem-solving gain value over a career, and they are the abilities automation has been slowest to replicate.
Across the 25 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $58,614 ten years after they first enrolled, about $10,614 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 58%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $18,374 a year, with about $23,250 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 35% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.7%.
What we’re seeing: outcomes in these fields vary widely, and affordability matters most precisely where early earnings start slow. Median earnings of $58,614 ten years after enrollment against a $18,374 net price show why low cost is the lever that turns a humanities degree into a clear win.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Northwestern University lands at #1 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $89,363 a decade after enrolling, 49% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,167 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Edwardsville, IL · 98% accepted · $14,889 net
Why it ranks #2
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville lands at #2 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,346 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,889 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Illinois State University lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $62,117 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,398 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Eastern Illinois University lands at #4 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $51,989 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,786 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Champaign, IL · 42% accepted · $14,355 net
Why it ranks #5
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign lands at #5 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $81,054 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,355 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
DePaul University lands at #6 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $68,751 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,902 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Bradley University lands at #7 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $66,852 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,719 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Northern Illinois University lands at #8 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,808 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,391 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Lake Forest College lands at #9 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $61,825 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,673 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
North Park University lands at #10 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $59,572 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,948 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Western Illinois University lands at #11 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $54,163 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,937 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Loyola University Chicago lands at #12 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $71,530 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,079 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Saint Xavier University lands at #13 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $58,656 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,970 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Northeastern Illinois University lands at #14 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $52,234 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,109 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Benedictine University lands at #15 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $63,446 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,313 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Eureka College lands at #16 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $51,641 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,349 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Monmouth College lands at #17 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $51,110 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,133 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Olivet Nazarene University lands at #18 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $53,213 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,729 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
McKendree University lands at #19 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $58,572 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,717 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Columbia College Chicago lands at #20 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,195 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,598 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
University of Illinois Springfield lands at #21 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $57,103 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,833 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Chicago State University lands at #22 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $42,778 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,335 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Augustana College lands at #23 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $62,971 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,736 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Wheaton College lands at #24 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $63,756 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,975 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Principia College lands at #25 with a 25/100 composite, led by value per dollar (100/100) and pulled down by social mobility (7/100). Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 24 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become PR Specialists and related roles — a field with $67,440 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the PR Specialist career guide →Choosing the right communications program can set the tone for your career in a fast-paced industry. With 25 colleges in Illinois offering communications degrees, students have a range of options to consider. These schools share a commitment to preparing students for the workforce, but outcomes can vary widely.
What stands out among the strong programs is how effectively they equip graduates for success, measured by earnings, graduation rates, and manageable debt. The schools listed here excel not just in providing a degree, but in translating that degree into real-world opportunities. As you look through the rankings, keep an eye on the earnings and graduation rates — they’re key indicators of how these programs can impact your future.
For instance, Northwestern University in Evanston boasts impressive earnings of $89,363, alongside a 96% graduation rate. In contrast, Eastern Illinois University offers a lower earning potential of $51,989 and a graduation rate of only 46%. This stark difference highlights the trade-offs students face as they evaluate their options in communications programs across the state.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 20 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.7%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Chicago State University leads the group at 3.7%, with Northeastern Illinois University (3.2%) and Loyola University Chicago (3.1%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 7.3% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Chicago State University enrolls the most, at 25.7%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 27.9% across the list, peaking at 55.2% at Northwestern University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Northwestern University is highest at 1.83.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing programs, it's clear that Northwestern University outshines many others in terms of post-graduation earnings and graduation rates. With graduates making an average of $89,363, the program not only fosters academic success but also translates it into lucrative job opportunities. Meanwhile, Eastern Illinois University, despite its lower tuition, sees earnings of just $51,989 and a concerning graduation rate of 46%. This suggests that while cost is important, the return on investment may vary significantly.
Now that you've seen the data, it's essential to weigh these figures against your personal priorities. Consider what matters most to you: Is it the reputation of the school, the location, or the financial implications of student debt? Think about the educational environment that will help you thrive. A school with a high graduation rate may indicate better support services, while one with lower debt might offer a more manageable financial path.
Ultimately, this data reflects a broader reality: the choices families make today can have lasting implications for the future. Investing in a college education is a commitment, and the right decision can pave a path toward financial stability and career success. Choosing a school that aligns with your goals may be the most significant step toward building a secure future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Communications Colleges in Illinois: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Communications Colleges in Illinois ranking? +
Northwestern University in Evanston, IL ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Communications Colleges in Illinois ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $89,363 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 96% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Northwestern University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $89,363 ten years after enrollment, well above the $59,960 average across the 24 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of Illinois Springfield leads: graduates earn a median $57,103 against net price of about $9,833 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Northwestern University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 60% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $19,918 a year across the 24 ranked schools with cost data. University of Illinois Springfield is among the most affordable at roughly $9,833. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Communications Colleges in Illinois ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 25 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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