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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in Indiana

20 Ranked Colleges
1,600 Degrees Awarded
$15,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 66,787 communication and media studies students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. 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 Indiana, there were 1,600 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,661 and $26,083 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered 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.

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

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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 Indiana” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana.

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in Indiana

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 Communications Schools in Indiana. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 391 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our indiana communications students list, Purdue has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $13,377 for Indiana Communications students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, 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 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Communication & Media Studies Report

2

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #2 spot on the list. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 458 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $14,619 for indiana communications 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Communication & Media Studies Report

3
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana that were part of this year’s ranking, Ball State University landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 87 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State University is $14,765 for indiana communications students.

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 Ball State Communication & Media Studies Report

4

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #4 spot on the list. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 90 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our indiana communications students list, IUPUI has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $12,416 for Indiana Communications students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University Northwest. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana. Located in Hammond, Indiana, this medium-sized public school handed out 75 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Purdue Northwest also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University Northwest is $11,384 for Indiana Communications students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Purdue University Northwest

6

With a ranking of #6, Indiana University - Kokomo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana list. Located in Kokomo, Indiana, this small public school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Kokomo, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Kokomo is $10,703 for indiana communications students.

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

7

University of Southern Indiana ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana list. University of Southern Indiana is located in Evansville, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

USI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern Indiana is $13,481 for indiana communications students.

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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at USI

8

Indiana University - Southeast landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana ranking. Indiana University - Southeast is a public institution located in New Albany, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Indiana University - Southeast did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” list. It costs about $11,446 for Indiana Communications students per year to attend Indiana University - Southeast.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Indiana University - Southeast

9
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana ranking. Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public institution located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at PFW, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. It costs about $11,629 for indiana communications students per year to attend Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Full Purdue University Fort Wayne Communication & Media Studies Report

10

Indiana University - South Bend came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana ranking. Indiana University - South Bend is a public institution located in South Bend, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Indiana University - South Bend also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - South Bend is $9,646 for Indiana Communications students.

Full Indiana University - South Bend Communication & Media Studies Report

11
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana ranking. Indiana State is a medium-sized school located in Terre Haute, Indiana that handed out 67 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Indiana State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana State is $14,270 for indiana communications students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Indiana State

12
IU East crest
Indiana University - East
Richmond, Indiana

Indiana University - East did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Richmond, Indiana, this small public school handed out 42 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU East, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IU East is $9,285 for Indiana Communications students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Indiana University - East

13

Grace College and Theological Seminary came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana ranking. Grace College and Theological Seminary is located in Winona Lake, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Grace College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” list. The estimated yearly cost for Grace College and Theological Seminary is $20,060 for indiana communications students.

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%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Grace College

14

Indiana University - Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Gary, Indiana, this small public school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

IU Northwest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” list. The estimated yearly cost for IU Northwest is $6,363 for Indiana Communications students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at IU Northwest

15
UIndy crest
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana

University of Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana ranking, coming in at #15. University of Indianapolis is a medium-sized school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 24 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UIndy also took the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIndy is $19,808 for Indiana Communications students.

Full UIndy Communication & Media Studies Report

16
Hanover crest
Hanover College
Hanover, Indiana

Hanover College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana ranking. Hanover is a private not-for-profit institution located in Hanover, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Hanover did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” list. It costs about $20,732 for Indiana Communications students per year to attend Hanover College.

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%.

Full Hanover College Communication & Media Studies Report

17
Marian crest
Marian University
Indianapolis, Indiana

Marian University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana list. Marian is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 16 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Marian did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” list. It costs about $19,266 for Indiana Communications students per year to attend Marian.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Marian Communication & Media Studies Report

18
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana

Valparaiso University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana ranking, coming in at #18. Valpo is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Valparaiso, Indiana. It awarded 12 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Valpo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” list. It costs about $22,899 for Indiana Communications students per year to attend Valpo.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Valparaiso University

19
St. Mary's College crest
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Indiana

Saint Mary’s College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana list. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our indiana communications students list, St. Mary’s College has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Mary’s College is $23,625 for indiana communications students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Saint Mary’s College

20
DePauw crest
DePauw University
Greencastle, Indiana

DePauw University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Indiana ranking. DePauw is located in Greencastle, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

DePauw not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Indiana” list. The estimated yearly cost for DePauw is $25,587 for indiana communications students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 1.0% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at DePauw University

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