2027 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for general journalism students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Journalism Schools
Our analysis ranked Washtenaw Community College the best value for a degree in general journalism in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $35,545. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #3 place for general journalism. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $22,837. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $38,540. That is a strong return on a $22,837 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Southeast earned it the #4 place for general journalism. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $23,981 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $43,463. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $36,303. Set against $22,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #6 for value in general journalism this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $43,603. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $39,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #8 for value in general journalism this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $36,139. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #9 position for value in general journalism this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $26,591. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #10 for value in general journalism this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $31,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #12 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $40,575 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Ball State University came in at #13 for value in general journalism this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $25,675 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $31,398 early in their careers. Set against $25,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #14 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $40,942 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,346 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,346 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University placed #16 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $30,735. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $31,845. That is a strong return on a $30,735 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Illinois State University landed the #17 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $36,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #18 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,985 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $36,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University placed #19 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $25,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #20 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $43,468. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for general journalism value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,208. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $38,246. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $34,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago placed #23 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $26,000. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $31,369. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Miami University Oxford came in at #24 for value in general journalism this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $32,840. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Depaul University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $24,334 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $35,231. That is a strong return on a $24,334 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general journalism value ranking:
Narrow General Journalism Schools by State
More General Journalism Rankings
View All General Journalism Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
