2026 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.
College Factual analyzed 263 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication & journalism schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication & journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Lake Land College earned the #1 spot for value among communication & journalism schools in the Great Lakes Region. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
College Of Dupage came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. 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 communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $15,865. Communication & Journalism graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,944 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $31,085. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
Henry Ford Community College earned the #6 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $18,876. Communication & Journalism graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $38,912 early in their careers. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,322. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $32,050 early in their careers. Set against $24,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #9 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College came in at #10 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,922. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $38,767. That is a strong return on a $17,922 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #11 position for value in communication & journalism this year. 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. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,347 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $35,951 early in their careers. Set against $22,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in communication & journalism this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $59,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #13 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #14 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $37,107. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,340 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $27,071 early in their careers. Set against $20,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Indiana University East came in at #16 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,462 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $37,463. That is a strong return on a $24,462 median debt. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast placed #17 among the best values for communication & journalism. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $26,777 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend landed the #18 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,785 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $36,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,785 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #19 spot for communication & journalism value 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. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,677. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $51,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest landed the #20 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $25,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Ferris State University placed #21 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,580 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $38,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,580 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Western Illinois University placed #22 among the best values for communication & journalism. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $29,659 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $33,423. Set against $29,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,200. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $31,735 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #24 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,992 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $38,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Saint Xavier University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $26,311 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $32,169. Set against $26,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 263 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 94 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.
