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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communications (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

29 Ranked Colleges
1,837 Degrees Awarded
$12,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Communications is the 67th most popular major in the country with 12,001 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,837 communications graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 29 colleges that offered a degree in communications. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communications programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communications program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communications (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 149 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,853 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Purdue.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communications at Purdue

2

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 291 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,036 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communications at UIUC

3
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Oakland University landed the #3 spot on the list. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 144 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakland also took the #10 spot in our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $8,839 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communications at Oakland University

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 126 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIC has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $11,351 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIC.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communications at University of Illinois at Chicago

5

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #5 spot on the list. Whitewater, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication arts degrees to 117 students in 2020-2021.

UW - Whitewater also made our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $10,390 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

Full UW - Whitewater Communications Report

6

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW - Eau Claire is a fairly large school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 55 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire also took the #6 spot in our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Eau Claire is $10,658 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communications at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

7

University of Illinois at Springfield ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 40 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIS, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,482 for Great Lakes Region Communication Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communications at University of Illinois at Springfield

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Wisconsin - Parkside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, this small public school handed out 32 degrees to qualified ’s communication arts students in 2020-2021.

UW - Parkside also took the #20 spot in our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Parkside is $8,022 for Great Lakes Region Communication Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communications at University of Wisconsin - Parkside

9
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s communication arts degrees to qualified students.

EIU also made our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $10,056 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend EIU.

Read more about Communications at EIU

10
Albion crest
Albion College
Albion, Michigan

Albion College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Albion, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 31 degrees to qualified ’s communication arts students in 2020-2021.

Albion also made our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Albion is $12,732 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communications at Albion

11

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a medium-sized public school situated in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It awarded 87 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Stevens Point not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $9,052 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communications at UW - Stevens Point

12

Kent State University at Kent ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kent State is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 176 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Kent State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kent State is $15,021 for Great Lakes Region Communication Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communications at Kent State

13
St. Mary's College crest
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Indiana

Saint Mary’s College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 18 degrees to qualified ’s communication arts students in 2020-2021.

St. Mary’s College also made our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $13,997 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Mary’s College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Communications at Saint Mary’s College

14

Youngstown State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Youngstown State University is located in Youngstown, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s communication arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Youngstown State University is $9,972 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communications at Youngstown State University

15

With a ranking of #15, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 45 degrees to qualified ’s communication arts students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is $9,445 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communications at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

16
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana

With a ranking of #16, Valparaiso University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Valpo is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Valparaiso, Indiana. It awarded 12 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Valpo also took the #13 spot in our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Valpo is $19,717 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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%.

Read full report on Communications at Valparaiso University

17
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified ’s communication arts students in 2020-2021.

WMU also took the #17 spot in our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,552 for Great Lakes Region Communication Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend WMU.

Read full report on Communications at WMU

18
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marquette University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 44 diplomas to qualified ’s communication arts students in 2020-2021.

Marquette also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marquette University is $21,378 for Great Lakes Region Communication Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Marquette Communications Report

19
Walsh crest
Walsh University
North Canton, Ohio

Walsh University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. North Canton, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communication arts degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

Walsh also made our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for Walsh University is $13,457 for Great Lakes Region Communication Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Communications at Walsh

20
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ashland, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Ashland also took the #15 spot in our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ashland University is $14,311 for Great Lakes Region Communication Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Ashland University Communications Report

21

Grace College and Theological Seminary came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Winona Lake, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 degrees to qualified ’s communication arts students in 2020-2021.

Grace College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,033 for Great Lakes Region Communication Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grace College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Grace College Communications Report

22

Heidelberg University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Heidelberg University is a small school located in Tiffin, Ohio that handed out 10 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Heidelburg College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Heidelburg College is $18,842 for great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Heidelburg College Communications Report

23
UIndy crest
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana

With a ranking of #23, University of Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Indianapolis is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 24 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,716 for Great Lakes Region Communication Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIndy.

Full University of Indianapolis Communications Report

24
Alma crest
Alma College
Alma, Michigan

Alma College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Alma, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 degrees to qualified ’s communication arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region communication arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Alma has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Alma is $18,565 for Great Lakes Region Communication Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communications at Alma College

25
Carroll U crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #25, Carroll University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Waukesha, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 28 degrees to qualified ’s communication arts students in 2020-2021.

Carroll U also made our “Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Carroll University is $18,414 for Great Lakes Region Communication Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communications at Carroll U

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