2027 Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
General Journalism programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best general journalism schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for General Journalism in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in General Journalism
Our analysis ranked Indiana University Bloomington the best school in the country for a degree in general journalism. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. About 132 general journalism degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $39,992 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
More information about a degree in general journalism from Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best general journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 214 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $40,942. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general journalism schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 44 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $36,303 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $22,300 in student loans.
Read more about the general journalism program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Michigan State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 126 general journalism degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $36,912 in their early career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $24,985 in student loans.
Get the full general journalism details for Michigan State University
Denison University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 79% of students finish within six years. Denison University awarded about 13 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Denison University earn around $39,797 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,360.
See the full general journalism program report for Denison University
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best general journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 53 general journalism degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $31,955 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,346.
See the full general journalism program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
Loyola University Chicago earned the #7 position for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 26 general journalism degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $38,302. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
Get the full general journalism details for Loyola University Chicago
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #8 for general journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 109 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,246. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans.
Read more about the general journalism program at Ohio University Main Campus
Illinois State University earned the #9 position for general journalism this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 31 general journalism degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $36,643 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500.
Read more about the general journalism program at Illinois State University
Miami University Oxford placed #10 among the best general journalism schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Miami University Oxford awarded about 20 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $32,840. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Marquette University landed the #11 spot for general journalism this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $38,700. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general journalism from Marquette University
Depaul University landed the #12 spot for general journalism this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Depaul University earn around $35,231 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,334 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general journalism from Depaul University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #13 for general journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $34,829 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,250.
More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #14 for general journalism this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oshkosh. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 34 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn around $50,590 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans.
See the full general journalism program report for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #15 among the best general journalism schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $36,139 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Kent State University At Kent earned the #16 position for general journalism this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 52 general journalism degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $43,468. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full general journalism program report for Kent State University At Kent
Ball State University earned the #17 position for general journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 45 general journalism degrees were awarded at Ball State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $31,398. Typical student debt for the program is $25,675.
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Eastern Illinois University landed the #18 spot for general journalism this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. About 47% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans.
Read more about the general journalism program at Eastern Illinois University
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #19 spot for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 general journalism degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn around $38,540 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,837 to complete this degree.
See the full general journalism program report for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Northern Illinois University placed #20 among the best general journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 10 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $31,753. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general journalism from Northern Illinois University
Oakland University landed the #21 spot for general journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Oakland University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 15 general journalism degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $35,545. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general journalism from Oakland University
Columbia College Chicago came in at #22 for general journalism this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Columbia College Chicago earn around $31,369 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general journalism program report for Columbia College Chicago
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #23 among the best general journalism schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 19 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn around $40,575 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
Get the full general journalism details for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Wayne State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best general journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Detroit. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 general journalism degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $26,591. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full general journalism details for Wayne State University
Indiana University Southeast landed the #25 spot for general journalism this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of New Albany. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 general journalism degrees were awarded at Indiana University Southeast in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $43,463 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,981.
More information about a degree in general journalism from Indiana University Southeast
Rest of the Top 26 General Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general journalism ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 26 schools evaluated.
- 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.