2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
37
Ranked Colleges
1,618
Degrees Awarded
$11,700
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.
Journalism is the 69th most popular major in the country with 13,552 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $32,953 and had an average of $23,734 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,618 journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,946 and $25,109 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 37 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in journalism. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent journalism programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the journalism program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Journalism (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. 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 Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $4,788 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, 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 95%.
Read more about Journalism at University of Wisconsin - Madison
Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #2 spot on the list. IU Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 123 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $7,061 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full IU Bloomington Journalism Report
Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 53 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,036 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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 Journalism at UIUC
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, IUPUI has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IUPUI is $8,216 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 full report on Journalism at IUPUI
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oakland University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 29 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
Oakland also made our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $8,839 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Journalism at Oakland
Ball State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 68 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
Ball State also made our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $10,786 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ball State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Journalism at Ball State
Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,581 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Journalism at Ohio State University - Main Campus
Michigan State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.
Michigan State also made our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $15,170 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Journalism at Michigan State University
Indiana University - Southeast did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Indiana University - Southeast is a public institution located in New Albany, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Southeast is $8,556 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Indiana University - Southeast Journalism Report
Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Central Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 35 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
Central Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $12,346 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 full report on Journalism at Central Michigan
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a public institution located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Whitewater, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $10,390 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Journalism Report
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 28 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $12,226 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SIUC.
Read full report on Journalism at SIUC
Miami University - Oxford ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Miami University - Oxford is located in Oxford, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Miami University - Oxford, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $16,062 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Journalism at Miami University - Oxford
Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 74 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.
Kent State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kent State University at Kent is $15,021 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Kent State University at Kent Journalism Report
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. This fairly large school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 11 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $10,658 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Journalism at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio University - Athens Campus is located in Athens, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 185 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.
OHIO Athens did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus is $18,991 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Journalism at OHIO Athens
With a ranking of #17, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW Oshkosh is a fairly large public school situated in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It awarded 18 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
UW Oshkosh not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,457 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.
Full University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Journalism Report
With a ranking of #18, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UIS is $8,482 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Journalism at UIS
Wayne State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school awarded 29 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State University is $11,414 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Wayne State University Journalism Report
With a ranking of #20, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Eastern Illinois University is a public institution located in Charleston, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend EIU is $10,056 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full EIU Journalism Report
Augustana College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Rock Island, Illinois, and it awarded 14 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, Augustana has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Augustana College is $18,937 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 full report on Journalism at Augustana College
With a ranking of #22, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.
WMU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Michigan University is $15,552 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Journalism at WMU
Illinois State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 29 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, Illinois State has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $14,982 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Illinois State University Journalism Report
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UC is $15,966 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Journalism Report
With a ranking of #25, Youngstown State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Youngstown State University is a fairly large school located in Youngstown, Ohio that handed out 12 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,972 for great lakes region journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Youngstown State University.
Read full report on Journalism at Youngstown State University
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