2027 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Radio, Television & Digital Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong radio, television & digital communication education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for radio, television & digital communication students.
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2027 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the radio, television & digital communication degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools
Leading the list is Lewis And Clark Community College, our #1 best value for radio, television & digital communication in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $7,769. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Rock Valley College one of the best values for radio, television & digital communication. 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. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Flint earned it the #4 place for radio, television & digital communication. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $51,692 early in their careers. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Dupage earned it the #5 place for radio, television & digital communication. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College earned the #6 position for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College placed #7 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
Purdue University Global placed #8 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $46,125 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $48,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $46,125 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #9 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $22,959. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $28,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,959 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #10 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Chicago landed the #11 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #12 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $20,778. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #13 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $34,019. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $20,526. That is a strong return on a $34,019 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Chicago State University placed #14 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $38,434 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $28,643 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,434 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Youngstown State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $30,089 early in their careers. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #16 position for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #17 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $24,637 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication 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.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #18 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $25,025. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $25,057. That is a strong return on a $25,025 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #19 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $31,699 early in their careers. 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 landed the #20 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $23,443 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $39,676 early in their careers. Set against $23,443 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northern Michigan University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,608 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $40,508. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University placed #22 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University came in at #23 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $27,000. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $24,894. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Michigan State University placed #24 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $69,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #25 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $27,000. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $29,205. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s radio, television & digital communication value ranking:
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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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
