2027 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin

[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communications students.
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2027 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communications Schools
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #1 spot for value among communications schools in Wisconsin. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $37,107. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $39,367 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Communications graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $37,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Communications graduates carry a median of $25,990 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $35,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
Carroll University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $52,404. Set against $26,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $22,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $40,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Edgewood College came in at #7 for value in communications this year. Edgewood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $35,860. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $23,250. Early-career communications graduates make about $42,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Edgewood College admits about 76% of applicants.
Carthage College placed #8 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,750 in tuition and fees. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $41,923. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Marquette University placed #9 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $23,531. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marquette University admits about 81% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.