2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & journalism education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 132 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & journalism students.
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2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Lewis And Clark Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism 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 communication & journalism. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Kokomo one of the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,619. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $31,085 early in their careers. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Dupage earned it the #4 place for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $12,492. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rock Valley College earned it the #5 place for communication & journalism. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #6 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,750. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $38,912 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Washtenaw Community College placed #7 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,616. Communication & Journalism graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College earned the #8 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $32,284. That is a strong return on a $11,944 median debt.
Oakland Community College earned the #9 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism value this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $30,250 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $35,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #11 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,376. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $50,556. Set against $20,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Oakland University came in at #12 for value in communication & journalism this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,172 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $38,150. Set against $25,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Northcentral Technical College placed #13 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $22,580 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $38,375. That is a strong return on a $22,580 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus earned the #15 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the rural area of Lancaster, Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,273. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,666. Set against $24,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #16 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,322. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,050. Set against $24,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global placed #17 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $46,125. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $48,015. Set against $46,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #18 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #19 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,347. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $36,110 early in their careers. Set against $22,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,200. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $31,735. That is a strong return on a $27,200 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest placed #21 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $25,541. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Indiana University Northwest earned the #22 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,434 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $48,925. Set against $26,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
Indiana University East came in at #23 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,462. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $37,463 early in their careers. Set against $24,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
National Louis University placed #24 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $29,242. Communication & Journalism graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $53,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast earned the #25 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $26,777. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & journalism 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 · 132 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 132 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.
