Comparison of Chicago Digital Media Production Schools
This article looks at three private and public schools within an hour's drive of Chicago that offer certificate and degree programs in some form of digital media. It also contains a table that presents important information on the schools to prospective students. At the end of this article are a few facts on two other Chicago-area schools that offer digital media studies.
- Loyola University - Chicago, about eight miles from downtown, offers a film and digital media studies bachelor's degree program.
- Lewis University provides a bachelor's degree program in radio/TV broadcasting and is located about 30 miles from Chicago.
- The College of Lake County sits approximately 40 miles from Chicago and offers an Associate in Applied Science in Digital Media and Design, along with several certificate programs.
Comparison of Schools
Students who are looking to study digital media must consider many factors when choosing a school, including enrollment, tuition and school type. The table that follows offers this information in an easy-to-access format, making it simple to compare the schools.
| Loyola University - Chicago | Lewis University | College of Lake County | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | 4-year; private not-for-profit | 4-year; private not-for-profit | 2-year; public |
| Total Enrollment (2017) | 16,673* | 6,506* | 14,590* |
| Campus Setting | Large city | Large suburb | Large suburb |
| Tuition & Fees (2017-2018) | $43,078* | $31,250* | $3,864 in-district; $8,960 in-state; $11,872 out-of-state* |
| % of First-Year Students Receiving Any Form of Aid (2016-2017) | 98%* | 99%* | 44%* |
| Acceptance Rate (2017) | 71%* | 54%* | N/A - Open admissions |
| Retention Rate (2017) | 83% for full-time students; 100% for part-time students* | 80% for full-time students* | 70% for full-time students; 50% for part-time students* |
| Graduation Rate (for those who began their studies in 2011-14) | 77%* | 67%* | 28% (23% transfer-out rate)* |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
Loyola University - Chicago
Loyola University - Chicago features over 80 undergraduate majors and over 170 graduate programs. The School of Communication offers programs in film and digital media, advocacy and social change, advertising, communications and journalism.
Bachelor of Arts in Film and Digital Media Studies
This film and digital media studies program offers concentrations in international film studies, film and media production, and digital media. The international film studies concentration focuses on the history of cinema as well as the relationship between media and society. Students enrolled in the film and media production concentration gain the knowledge and skills to seek careers in film production. The digital media concentration teaches students about the different aspects of multimedia, such as media communication, game design, technology development and web design. Each track also offers students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience through internships.
Lewis University
Students at Lewis University can pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in the arts and sciences, business, education and nursing. The university features more than 80 undergraduate majors and 35 graduate programs. The Department of Communications offers bachelor's degrees in several areas including journalism and organizational communication.
Bachelor of Arts in Radio/TV Broadcasting
The mass communication program is 128 credits and requires that students complete core courses in mass media, writing, visual media, media law, media ethics and media research methods. The program covers various aspects of media and provides students with the technical skills to work with production equipment. Students begin with an introduction to radio, television, broadcasting, media communication and digital communication.
College of Lake Country
The College of Lake County offers career and transfer programs, professional development and personal enrichment courses, and adult basic education. The Communication Arts, Humanities and Fine Arts Department houses the programs in digital media and design.
Multimedia Presentations Career Certificate
The multimedia presentations certificate is a 15-credit program. Students take basic courses in digital media, video production and digital sound.
Multimedia Communications Certificate
Students pursuing the multimedia communications certificate must complete 36 credits. The curriculum consists of computer art, communications, web design and printing production courses.
Associate in Applied Science in Digital Media and Design
The digital media and design program is 66-69 credits and offers specialty opportunities in web development and interactive design, animation or graphic design. In the animation specialty, students learn about drawing, computer animation, 3-D effects and modeling, video editing and digital sound. The graphic design specialty features coursework in printing production, design techniques and communications. Students in the web development and interactive design specialty learn about web design and development, web scripting, communication and animation.
Other School Options
Located in downtown Chicago, Columbia College - Chicago offers a bachelor's degree in interactive arts and media. Northwestern University is about 20 miles from Chicago and provides media and technology education through both bachelor's and doctoral degree programs in communication studies.
