2027 Best Value Health Communication Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Health Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/health-communication/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health communication students.
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2027 Best Value Health Communication Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health communication, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health Communication Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Dearborn the best value for a degree in health communication in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the health communication program here. Early-career health communication graduates make about $62,536. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #2 place for health communication. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health communication graduates is $23,146. Soon after graduation, health communication degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $56,930. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health communication, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the health communication program here. Soon after graduation, health communication degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $54,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health communication, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $23,745 to complete the health communication program here. Early-career health communication graduates make about $38,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health communication, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Health Communication graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health communication degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University came in at #6 for value in health communication this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for health communication graduates is $27,000. Early-career health communication graduates make about $55,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value health communication schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Health Communication graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health communication degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University landed the #8 spot for health communication value this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Health Communication graduates carry a median of $26,377 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health communication degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $38,172. Set against $26,377 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #9 among the best values for health communication. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $23,899 to complete the health communication program here. Health Communication graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,899 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in health communication this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for health communication graduates is $24,546. Early-career health communication graduates make about $49,736. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #11 spot for health communication value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Health Communication graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health communication degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Depaul University earned the #12 position for value in health communication this year. 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. Health Communication graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Health Communication graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.