2027 Best Value Photojournalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Photojournalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/photojournalism/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value photojournalism schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Photojournalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the photojournalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Photojournalism Schools
Our analysis ranked Central Michigan University the best value for a degree in photojournalism in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for photojournalism graduates is $27,000. Photojournalism graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $25,033 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kent State University At Kent earned it the #2 place for photojournalism. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the photojournalism program here. Photojournalism graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in photojournalism will find it at Ohio University Main Campus, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete the photojournalism program here. Photojournalism graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $38,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Columbia College Chicago one of the best values for photojournalism. 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 photojournalism graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, photojournalism degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $31,369. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
