2027 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communications schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communications Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in communications in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $38,912 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $24,125. Communications graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $37,795 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Springfield earned it the #3 place for communications. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,322 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $32,050. That is a strong return on a $24,322 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Michigan Flint is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $30,250 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $35,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
National Louis University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Communications graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Communications graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $53,733 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Hamilton came in at #6 for value in communications this year. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $34,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #7 among the best values for communications. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,000. Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $37,107 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Communications graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $37,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #9 spot for communications value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $40,683. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for communications value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Communications graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $59,776. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #11 position for value in communications this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $39,367. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #12 spot for communications value this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $24,625. Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $37,807 early in their careers. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Albion College placed #14 among the best values for communications. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,950. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $39,209. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Carroll University landed the #15 spot for communications value this year. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,904 in student loans. Communications graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $52,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #16 among the best values for communications. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $25,990 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $35,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #17 among the best values for communications. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Communications graduates carry a median of $22,730 in student loans. Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $40,333 early in their careers. Set against $22,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,000. Communications graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $31,169 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Cleveland State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $49,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Evansville ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,172 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $59,618 early in their careers. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Michigan State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,390. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Valparaiso University came in at #22 for value in communications this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $35,164 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary earned the #23 position for value in communications this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $21,211. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $42,188. Set against $21,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Wittenberg University placed #24 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of Springfield, Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,940. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wittenberg University admits about 72% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent placed #25 among the best values for communications. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $35,804 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Communications Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communications value ranking:
Narrow Communications Schools by State
More Communications Rankings
View All Communications Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
