Best Communication and Media Studies institutions in Illinois, ranked by earnings
The Communication and Media Studies program focuses on the processes of human communication and behavior, exploring how individuals and groups exchange ideas and information across various media. This program is designed for students…
Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,210 | 88 | 95% | $14,799 | $18,112 |
| 2 | DeVry University - Illinois Lisle Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,622 | 15 | 37% | $32,381 | $56,858 |
| 3 | Lake Forest College Lake Forest Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,835 | 28 | 78% | $25,052 | $27,000 |
| 4 | Augustana College Rock Island Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,806 | 9 | 73% | $14,960 | $26,375 |
| 5 | Wheaton College Wheaton Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,321 | 34 | 85% | $23,461 | $23,250 |
| 6 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,912 | 95 | 62% | — | $20,750 |
| 7 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,490 | 72 | 49% | — | $27,000 |
| 8 | Illinois State University Normal Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,125 | 206 | 65% | — | $20,125 |
| 9 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,808 | 242 | 85% | — | $19,500 |
| 10 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,778 | 71 | 47% | — | $26,000 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031).
Top skills
What Public Relations Specialists earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Communication and Media Studies programs in Illinois.
Which Communication and Media Studies program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Northwestern University tops the list at $52,210. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Illinois is $72,690 (median $63,590), across about 6,360 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.
What is the focus of the Communication and Media Studies program?+
The Communication and Media Studies program focuses on the processes of human communication and behavior, exploring how individuals and groups exchange ideas and information across various media. This program is designed for students…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, speaking, writing, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Public Relations Specialists?+
The national job outlook is about +4.8% growth with around 27,600 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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