Best Communication and Media colleges in Chicago

Best Communication and Media colleges in Chicago for 2026

DePaul University
Chicago, IL

Imagine the possibility of interning at a powerhouse such as Leo Burnett, Tribune Interactive, or the American Marketing Association. With DePaul’s connections and ideal location in downtown Chicago, such real-world experiences can be part of your degree program. No wonder communication was the second most popular major among graduates of the class of 2013. The College of Communication offers eight undergraduate programs: communication and media, communication studies, intercultural communication, journalism, media and cinema studies, organizational communication, public relations and advertising, and relational communication. DePaul also conducts seven graduate programs as well as dual options in which highly motivated undergraduates can earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years. The university is particularly proud of its communications faculty – professors with years of experience in some of the biggest media markets in the nation as well as scholars publishing in top journals. Adding to the experience are DePaul’s extracurricular offerings. Its student newspaper (The DePaulia) won 15 awards from the Illinois College Press Association in 2014, and Radio DePaul was named the nation’s “Best Streaming College Radio Station” by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System in 2012.

Columbia College Chicago offers 9 Communication and Media degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 105 Communication and Media students graduated with students earning 104 Bachelor's degrees, and 1 Master's degree.

University of Illinois Chicago offers 4 Communication and Media degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 106 Communication and Media students graduated with students earning 103 Bachelor's degrees, and 3 Master's degrees.

Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University offers 6 Communication and Media degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2024, 28 Communication and Media students graduated with students earning 27 Bachelor's degrees, and 1 Master's degree.

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Loyola University Chicago offers 8 Communication and Media degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 166 Communication and Media students graduated with students earning 142 Bachelor's degrees, and 24 Master's degrees.

College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College of DuPage offers 6 Communication and Media degree programs. It's a very large, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2024, 79 Communication and Media students graduated with students earning 46 Associate's degrees, and 33 Certificates.

Northeastern Illinois University offers 2 Communication and Media degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 32 Communication and Media students graduated with students earning 26 Bachelor's degrees, and 6 Master's degrees.

Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus offers 5 Communication and Media degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, less than two-year school in a large city. In 2024, 126 Communication and Media students graduated with students earning 126 Certificates.

University of Wisconsin-Parkside offers 4 Communication and Media degree programs. It's a small, public, four-year university in a outlying rural area. In 2024, 43 Communication and Media students graduated with students earning 31 Bachelor's degrees, and 12 Master's degrees.

Illinois Media School
Chicago, IL

Illinois Media School offers 4 Communication and Media degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, less than two-year school in a large city. In 2024, 71 Communication and Media students graduated with students earning 71 Certificates.

List of all Communication and Media colleges in Chicago

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
DePaul University Logo DePaul University Chicago, IL
5/5
25 : 1 21,210
Columbia College Chicago Logo Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL
5/5
25 : 1 5,570
University of Illinois Chicago Logo University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL
4/5
18 : 1 33,906
Loyola University Chicago Logo Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
5/5
20 : 1 17,384
Valparaiso University Logo Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN
5/5
13 : 1 2,579