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2024 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

101 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
9,064 Communications Degrees Awarded
$35,036 Avg Early-Career Salary
Communication & Media Studies is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #10 most popular major in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual reviewed 101 schools in the Great Lakes Region to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of communication & media studies. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 9,064 degrees in communication & media studies during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Communication & Media Studies School

Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region Your choice of communication & media studies school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Communication & Media Studies School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Communication & Media Studies Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Communications
Bachelor's Degrees in Communications
Master's Degrees in Communications
Doctor's Degrees in Communications

The communications school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies in the Great Lakes Region

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the communications degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

15 Top Great Lakes Region Schools in Communications

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
207 Communications Degrees Awarded
9.7% Growth in Graduates

Northwestern University is a good option for students interested in a degree in communication & media studies. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were about 207 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Those communication & media studies students who get their degree from Northwestern University make $23,319 more than the typical communications graduate.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Northwestern University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
277 Communications Degrees Awarded
11.2% Growth in Graduates

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in communication & media studies. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were roughly 277 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the communication & media studies degree program at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor get $10,725 above the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
327 Communications Degrees Awarded
$38,661 Median Starting Salary

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a wonderful decision for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies. UIUC is a fairly large public university located in the city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 327 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies degree recipients from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earn a boost of approximately $3,625 over the average earnings of communication & media studies majors.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
334 Communications Degrees Awarded
5.7% Growth in Graduates

It is difficult to beat University of Wisconsin - Madison if you wish to pursue a degree in communication & media studies. UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were about 334 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies degree recipients from University of Wisconsin - Madison receive an earnings boost of approximately $15,178 over the typical earnings of communication & media studies graduates.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Wisconsin - Madison

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
391 Communications Degrees Awarded
$53,099 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Purdue is a great university overall.

There were approximately 391 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the communication & media studies major at Purdue University - Main Campus make $18,063 more than the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Purdue University - Main Campus

6
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
543 Communications Degrees Awarded
11.0% Growth in Graduates

Michigan State is a fairly large public university located in the city of East Lansing. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 543 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the communication & media studies program at Michigan State University get $2,071 more than the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Michigan State University

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
458 Communications Degrees Awarded
$41,828 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were roughly 458 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available. Communication & Media Studies degree recipients from Indiana University - Bloomington earn a boost of approximately $6,791 above the typical income of communication & media studies majors.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Indiana University - Bloomington

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
580 Communications Degrees Awarded
12.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 580 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year. Those communication & media studies students who get their degree from Ohio State University - Main Campus make $2,317 more than the typical communications student.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Ohio State University - Main Campus

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
165 Communications Degrees Awarded
9.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Dayton, UDayton is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 165 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UDayton in the most recent data year. Those communication & media studies students who get their degree from University of Dayton receive $4,820 more than the standard communications graduate.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Dayton

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
289 Communications Degrees Awarded
13.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Cincinnati, UC is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #166 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 289 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the communications program earn around $36,661 for their early career.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
305 Communications Degrees Awarded
$35,024 Median Starting Salary

Located in the distant town of Athens, OHIO Athens is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 9th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were approximately 305 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the communications program make an average of $35,024 for their early career.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Ohio University - Athens Campus

12
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
173 Communications Degrees Awarded
$39,067 Median Starting Salary

DePaul is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. This university ranks 7th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were approximately 173 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent year we have data available. Those communication & media studies students who get their degree from DePaul University make $4,031 more than the typical communications grad.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from DePaul University

13
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, OH
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 Communications Degrees Awarded
$38,133 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small suburb of Granville, Denison is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #162 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Denison is a great university overall.

There were about 48 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Denison in the most recent data year. Those communication & media studies students who get their degree from Denison University earn $3,097 more than the average communications graduate.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Denison University

14
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
226 Communications Degrees Awarded
13.7% Growth in Graduates

Illinois State is a very large public university located in the suburb of Normal. This university ranks 8th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were about 226 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the communication & media studies degree program at Illinois State University get $5,733 above the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Illinois State University

15
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
45 Communications Degrees Awarded
$43,850 Median Starting Salary

Marquette is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Milwaukee. A Best Colleges rank of #130 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Marquette is a great university overall.

There were approximately 45 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Marquette in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the communication & media studies program at Marquette University make $8,814 more than the typical college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Marquette University

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Communication & Media Studies students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
16 DePauw University Greencastle, IN
17 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
18 Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL
19 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
20 Saint Norbert College De Pere, WI
21 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
22 Wheaton College Illinois Wheaton, IL
23 Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH
24 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
25 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL

Best Communication & Media Studies Colleges by State

Explore the best communication & media studies schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 322 1,777
Ohio 314 2,148
Illinois 304 2,069
Indiana 294 1,549
Wisconsin 273 1,297

View All Rankings >

One of 5 majors within the Communication & Journalism area of study, Communication & Media Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.

Communications Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Speech Communication 5,191
Communications 1,837
Communication & Media Studies 1,528
Other Communication & Media Studies 508

View All Communications Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Public Relations & Advertising 3,669
Radio, Television & Digital Communication 3,416
Journalism 1,618
Communication & Journalism (Other) 138
Publishing 2

View All Communications Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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