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2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

39 Ranked Colleges
1,518 Degrees Awarded
$10,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

General Journalism is the 69th most popular major in the country with 11,380 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,518 general journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 39 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general journalism. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general journalism programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general journalism program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank General Journalism Schools

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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 Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” 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 Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Journalism (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 209 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $3,981 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Journalism at UW - Madison

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. IU Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 123 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also took the #3 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $5,752 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate 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%.

Full IU Bloomington General Journalism Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 53 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $4,858 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Journalism at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

4
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #4 spot on the list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 111 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, Michigan State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $6,927 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full Michigan State University General Journalism Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 42 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $7,026 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full IUPUI General Journalism Report

6
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

With a ranking of #6, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.

Ball State also made our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $8,273 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ball State.

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%.

Full Ball State General Journalism Report

7

With a ranking of #7, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 46 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ohio State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus is $7,068 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Ohio State General Journalism Report

8
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oakland, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland is $8,949 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full Oakland General Journalism Report

9

Miami University - Oxford landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Miami University - Oxford is $13,956 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Miami University - Oxford General Journalism Report

10

Indiana University - Southeast came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Southeast is a small school located in New Albany, Indiana that handed out 13 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Southeast is $7,587 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Indiana University - Southeast General Journalism Report

11
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan also took the #20 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $10,805 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about General Journalism at Central Michigan University

12

University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $8,438 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about General Journalism at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

13

Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Athens, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 160 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,614 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus.

Full OHIO Athens General Journalism Report

14

Kent State University at Kent landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kent, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

Kent State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,793 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kent State.

Full Kent State University at Kent General Journalism Report

15

With a ranking of #15, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 55 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Whitewater also made our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $8,143 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW - Whitewater.

Read more about General Journalism at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

16

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Oshkosh, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW Oshkosh has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is $9,499 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Journalism at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

17

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 28 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $11,665 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Journalism at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

18

University of Southern Indiana ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Evansville, Indiana, this medium-sized public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Southern Indiana is $7,815 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Journalism at USI

19

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,061 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, 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 88%.

Read more about General Journalism at UC

20
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. WMU is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, WMU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WMU is $13,112 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full WMU General Journalism Report

21

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a fairly large school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 11 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $9,547 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire General Journalism Report

22
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #22, Marquette University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 30 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Marquette did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $18,589 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Marquette University.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate 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%.

Full Marquette General Journalism Report

23
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wayne State is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wayne State University is $11,060 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Journalism at Wayne State University

24

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 29 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $13,783 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read more about General Journalism at Illinois State University

25
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. This medium-sized school is located in Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 9 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bradley, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $16,588 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Read more about General Journalism at Bradley

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