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2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

22 Ranked Colleges
1,528 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 10,266 people earned their degree in communication and media studies, making the major the 82nd most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,528 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in communication and media studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication and media studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 8 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $10,364 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Madison

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

UIUC also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $11,505 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Communication & Media Studies Report

3

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #3 spot on the list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 456 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $12,369 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Indiana University - Bloomington

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 62 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $12,950 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at SIUE

5
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Michigan State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 320 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $20,557 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Michigan State University

6

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 71 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $19,293 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Illinois State Communication & Media Studies Report

7

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 104 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, UWM has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $17,606 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UWM

8

Indiana University - South Bend landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. South Bend, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

Indiana University - South Bend also took the #20 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - South Bend is $10,840 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Indiana University - South Bend Communication & Media Studies Report

9
GSU crest
Governors State University
University Park, Illinois

Governors State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. GSU is a public institution located in University Park, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

GSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Governors State University is $12,810 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at GSU

10

University of Southern Indiana did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. USI is located in Evansville, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, USI has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USI is $14,486 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Southern Indiana

11
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, Ohio

With a ranking of #11, Denison University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Granville, Ohio, and it awarded 48 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Denison, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Denison University is $18,607 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Denison University

12

Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ohio University - Athens Campus is a large public school situated in Athens, Ohio. It awarded 14 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

OHIO Athens did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus is $23,509 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Ohio University - Athens Campus

13

Miami University - Oxford ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 60 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Miami University - Oxford has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $23,513 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Miami University - Oxford Communication & Media Studies Report

14
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Olivet Nazarene is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 30 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Olivet Nazarene not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene is $17,206 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Olivet Nazarene

15
SNC crest
Saint Norbert College
De Pere, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #15, Saint Norbert College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in De Pere, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 22 diplomas to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SNC, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SNC is $21,825 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Saint Norbert College

16

Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Wright State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Dayton, Ohio that handed out 25 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Wright State University - Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wright State University - Main Campus is $16,871 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Wright State University - Main Campus

17

Heidelberg University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Tiffin, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.

Heidelburg College also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Heidelberg University is $18,812 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Heidelberg University

18

Trinity International University - Illinois came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Deerfield, Illinois, and it awarded 5 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, TIU Illinois has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Trinity International University - Illinois is $19,588 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Trinity International University - Illinois Communication & Media Studies Report

19
University of Saint Francis crest
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. University of Saint Francis is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

University of Saint Francis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $16,055 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Saint Francis.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Saint Francis

20
Otterbein crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio

Otterbein University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Otterbein University is a small school located in Westerville, Ohio that handed out 5 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Otterbein not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Otterbein is $21,572 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Otterbein Communication & Media Studies Report

21
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 129 degrees to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.

DePaul also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for DePaul University is $28,577 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at DePaul

22
RU crest
Rochester University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Rochester University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. RU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

RU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend RU is $15,153 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Rochester University Communication & Media Studies Report

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