2027 Best Value Radio & Television Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Radio & Television](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/radio-and-television/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for radio & television students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Radio & Television Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the radio & television degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Radio & Television Schools
Our analysis ranked Lewis And Clark Community College the best value for a degree in radio & television in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #2 place for radio & television. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in radio & television will find it at Rock Valley College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the radio & television program here. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $41,080. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Dupage earned it the #4 place for radio & television. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the radio & television program here. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Chicago State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in radio & television, landing the #5 spot this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $38,434. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $28,643. That is a strong return on a $38,434 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Wayne State University came in at #6 for value in radio & television this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $34,019. Radio & Television graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $20,526 early in their careers. Set against $34,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Youngstown State University placed #7 among the best values for radio & television. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the radio & television program here. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $30,089. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #8 among the best values for radio & television. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $25,025. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $25,057. That is a strong return on a $25,025 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #9 position for value in radio & television this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $24,637 in student loans. Radio & Television graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $26,494 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,637 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in radio & television this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $31,699. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Ball State University earned the #11 position for value in radio & television this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $23,443. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $39,676. Set against $23,443 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University landed the #12 spot for radio & television value this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $27,000. Radio & Television graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $50,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent placed #13 among the best values for radio & television. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $24,987 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Set against $24,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in radio & television this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the radio & television program here. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value radio & television schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $28,719 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio Media School Valley View earned the #16 position for value in radio & television this year. Located in the suburb of Valley View, Ohio Media School Valley View is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the radio & television program here. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Ohio Media School Valley View generally make around $18,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Ohio Media School Columbus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value radio & television schools. The Ohio Media School Columbus is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $9,500. Radio & Television graduates of The Ohio Media School Columbus earn a median of $18,896 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia College Chicago ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value radio & television schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $25,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $24,191. That is a strong return on a $25,420 median debt. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Ohio Media School Cincinnati came in at #19 for value in radio & television this year. Located in the suburb of Norwood, Ohio Media School Cincinnati is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the radio & television program here. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $15,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Media School Chicago Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value radio & television schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Media School Chicago Campus is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Illinois Media School Chicago Campus generally make around $18,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Media School came in at #21 for value in radio & television this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Media School is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $9,500. Radio & Television graduates of Illinois Media School earn a median of $18,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Northwestern University placed #22 among the best values for radio & television. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the radio & television program here. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $56,833. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
