101
Ranked Colleges
9,064
Degrees Awarded
$8,500
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.
With 66,787 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, communication and media studies is the 10th most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,115 and had an average of $25,414 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 9,064 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,036 and $25,485 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 101 colleges that offered a degree in communication and media studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and media studies programs and cost less that 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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 by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Out of the 101 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 207 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $917 for great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Northwestern Communication & Media Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school handed out 277 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
U-M also took the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $5,670 for Great Lakes Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 334 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $4,788 for Great Lakes Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Madison
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 391 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University - Main Campus is $5,853 for Great Lakes Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Full Purdue Communication & Media Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 458 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Full IU Bloomington Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #6, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 327 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $8,036 for Great Lakes Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Communication & Media Studies Report
Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 580 students in 2020-2021.
Ohio State 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 State is $8,581 for Great Lakes Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 Ohio State University - Main Campus Communication & Media Studies Report
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 90 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $8,216 for great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #9, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 144 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $8,839 for great lakes region communications 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Oakland University
Michigan State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 543 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $15,170 for great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 Michigan State
University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Michigan - Dearborn is a public institution located in Dearborn, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Dearborn is $10,465 for great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 UM Dearborn Communication & Media Studies Report
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SIUE is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 116 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $8,825 for great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 81 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UW - La Crosse is $10,075 for Great Lakes Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UW - La Crosse Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #14, Sinclair Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sinclair Community College is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $4,227 for Great Lakes Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Sinclair Community College
Indiana University - South Bend ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in South Bend, Indiana, this small public school awarded 24 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - South Bend is $6,544 for Great Lakes Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Indiana University - South Bend
Ball State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ball State University is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 87 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $10,786 for great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Ball State
With a ranking of #17, Indiana University - Kokomo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kokomo, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Kokomo is $6,875 for Great Lakes Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Indiana University - Kokomo
University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 126 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $11,351 for great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UIC Communication & Media Studies Report
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 117 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Whitewater has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $10,390 for Great Lakes Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 55 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
UW - Eau Claire did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $10,658 for great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Denison University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Denison University is a small school located in Granville, Ohio that handed out 48 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Denison, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,686 for great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Denison.
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. 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%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Denison University
University of Wisconsin - River Falls came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW - River Falls is located in River Falls, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $9,478 for Great Lakes Region Communications 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 Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - River Falls
Indiana University - East landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Richmond, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend IU East is $6,831 for great lakes region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at IU East
Purdue University Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. This medium-sized school is located in Hammond, Indiana, and it awarded 75 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University Northwest is $8,608 for Great Lakes Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Purdue Northwest
University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school awarded 40 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,482 for Great Lakes Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.
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 Illinois at Springfield
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