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2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin

17 Ranked Colleges
1,332 Degrees Awarded
$18,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Communication & Media Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 10th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 66,787 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, communication & 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 Wisconsin, there were 1,332 communication & media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,658 and $26,928 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin” ranking, we looked at 17 colleges that offer a degree in communication & media studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication & media studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication & 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.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin

The colleges and universities below are the best for wisconsin communications students.

Top 17 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in Wisconsin

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 334 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Madison is $17,234 for Wisconsin Communications students.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Madison

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin list. UW - Whitewater is a fairly large public school situated in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It awarded 117 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Whitewater not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” list. It costs about $14,417 for Wisconsin Communications students per year to attend UW - Whitewater.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UW - Whitewater

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin list. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UW - Eau Claire also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $16,051 for Wisconsin Communications students per year to attend UW - Eau Claire.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UW - Eau Claire

4

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 222 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our wisconsin communications students list, UWM has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $17,486 for Wisconsin Communications students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UWM

5

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is a fairly large school located in La Crosse, Wisconsin that handed out 81 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our wisconsin communications students list, UW - La Crosse has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - La Crosse is $14,654 for wisconsin communications 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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

6

University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #6 spot on the 2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin ranking. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our wisconsin communications students list, UW - River Falls has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $13,844 for Wisconsin Communications students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UW - River Falls

7

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and it awarded 87 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Stevens Point, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $13,346 for Wisconsin Communications students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Wisconsin - Superior did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin list. Located in Superior, Wisconsin, this small public school handed out 18 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

UW - Superior also took the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Superior is $14,084 for Wisconsin Communications students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Superior

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - Parkside did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin list. Kenosha, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our wisconsin communications students list, UW - Parkside has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Parkside is $11,082 for Wisconsin Communications students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Parkside

10

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh landed the #10 spot on the 2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin ranking. This fairly large school is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and it awarded 54 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our wisconsin communications students list, UW Oshkosh has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW Oshkosh is $14,687 for wisconsin communications students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

11

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and it awarded 45 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Green Bay also took the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Green Bay is $13,092 for wisconsin communications students.

Full University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Communication & Media Studies Report

12
WLC crest
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #12, Wisconsin Lutheran College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WLC, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WLC is $20,927 for Wisconsin Communications students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full WLC Communication & Media Studies Report

13
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marquette University landed the #13 spot on the 2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Marquette University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 45 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our wisconsin communications students list, Marquette has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marquette is $30,380 for Wisconsin Communications students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Marquette University

14
Carthage crest
Carthage College
Kenosha, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #14, Carthage College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin list. Carthage is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It awarded 22 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Carthage not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” list. The estimated yearly cost for Carthage College is $27,274 for wisconsin communications students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Carthage College Communication & Media Studies Report

15
Carroll U crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #15, Carroll University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin list. Waukesha, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

Carroll U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” list. The yearly cost to attend Carroll U is $22,987 for Wisconsin Communications students.

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 Carroll University Communication & Media Studies Report

16
SNC crest
Saint Norbert College
De Pere, Wisconsin

Saint Norbert College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin ranking, coming in at #16. Located in De Pere, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 33 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SNC, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Norbert College is $26,612 for wisconsin communications students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Norbert College Communication & Media Studies Report

17
Edgewood crest
Edgewood College
Madison, Wisconsin

Edgewood College landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Edgewood did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Wisconsin” list. It costs about $25,261 for Wisconsin Communications students per year to attend Edgewood College.

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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Edgewood

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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