2023 Best Value Colleges for General Journalism in the Great Lakes Region
39
Ranked Colleges
1,518
Degrees Awarded
$16,500
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
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” 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank General Journalism Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Journalism in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Athens, Ohio, and it awarded 160 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
OHIO Athens also made our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio University - Athens Campus is $23,831 for great lakes region journalism students.
Read full report on General Journalism at OHIO Athens
Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #2 spot on the list. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 28 students 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. It costs about $16,285 for great lakes region journalism students per year to attend SIUC.
Read more about General Journalism at SIUC
Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Michigan University landed the #3 spot on the list. Central Michigan is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 19 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
Central Michigan also made our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $16,007 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 more about General Journalism at Central Michigan
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - Whitewater is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students list, UW - Whitewater has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $14,417 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students.
Read more about General Journalism at UW - Whitewater
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a fairly large school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 18 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
UW Oshkosh not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW Oshkosh is $14,687 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students.
Read full report on General Journalism at UW Oshkosh
With a ranking of #6, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. 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.
WMU also made our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $20,371 for great lakes region journalism students.
Full WMU General Journalism Report
Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 74 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kent State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kent State is $19,117 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students.
Full Kent State General Journalism Report
Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #8. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,956 for great lakes region journalism students per year to attend Northern Illinois University.
Read more about General Journalism at Northern Illinois University
University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #9. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 3 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,844 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students per year to attend UW - River Falls.
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%.
Full UW - River Falls General Journalism Report
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #10. UW - 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 $16,051 for great lakes region journalism students.
Read more about General Journalism at UW - Eau Claire
Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #11. Ball State is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 68 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State University is $14,765 for Great Lakes Region Journalism 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 more about General Journalism at Ball State University
With a ranking of #12, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and it awarded 11 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan is $15,127 for great lakes region journalism students.
Full Eastern Michigan University General Journalism Report
Eastern Illinois University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $13,098 for great lakes region journalism students.
Full EIU General Journalism Report
With a ranking of #14, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 3 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend WIU is $15,305 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students.
Full Western Illinois University General Journalism Report
University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 209 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.
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. It costs about $17,234 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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%.
Full UW - Madison General Journalism Report
Illinois State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 29 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
Illinois State also took the #24 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,830 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students per year to attend Illinois State University.
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 Illinois State University General Journalism Report
With a ranking of #17, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UC is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 32 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
UC also took the #9 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $22,415 for great lakes region journalism students per year to attend UC.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Read more about General Journalism at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Ohio. It awarded 10 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $18,558 for great lakes region journalism students.
Read full report on General Journalism at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus
Oakland University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students list, Oakland has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,449 for great lakes region journalism students per year to attend Oakland University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Journalism at Oakland
Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #20. Youngstown, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $12,225 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students.
Read full report on General Journalism at Youngstown State University
Indiana University - Southeast did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #21. Located in New Albany, Indiana, this small public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,446 for great lakes region journalism students per year to attend Indiana University - Southeast.
Read more about General Journalism at Indiana University - Southeast
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.
UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,321 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students per year to attend UIUC.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 UIUC
With a ranking of #23, University of Southern Indiana did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Southern Indiana is a medium-sized school located in Evansville, Indiana that handed out 3 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern Indiana is $13,481 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Journalism at University of Southern Indiana
Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. 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 yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $14,619 for great lakes region journalism students.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on General Journalism at IU Bloomington
With a ranking of #25, Columbia College Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 34 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
Columbia also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College Chicago is $26,258 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students.
Read full report on General Journalism at Columbia College Chicago
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