2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Indiana
[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 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & journalism students.
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2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Indiana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Our analysis ranked Indiana University Kokomo the best value for a degree in communication & journalism in Indiana. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $31,085. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Global one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $46,125 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $48,015. That is a strong return on a $46,125 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for communication & journalism. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $59,776 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Northwest one of the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $25,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #6 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,347 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Indiana University Northwest ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,434 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,925 early in their careers. Set against $26,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East placed #8 among the best values for communication & journalism. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,462 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $37,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,462 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #9 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, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $26,777 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana State University earned the #10 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $34,213. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,405. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $34,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #12 for value in communication & journalism this year. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,785 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #13 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $19,992 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $38,187. That is a strong return on a $19,992 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University earned the #14 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,846. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,289 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $39,712 early in their careers. Set against $25,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Evansville ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $59,618. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Evansville admits about 78% of applicants.
Valparaiso University came in at #17 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $35,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $42,188 early in their careers. Set against $21,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
Depauw University came in at #19 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,070. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Depauw University earn a median of $43,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Indianapolis ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,200. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $33,054 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Hanover College earned the #21 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,698. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Hanover College generally make around $31,621. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hanover College admits about 84% of applicants.
Franklin College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Franklin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Franklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Franklin College generally make around $36,964. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Wabash College placed #23 among the best values for communication & journalism. Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crawfordsville. In-state tuition and fees average $50,800. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of Wabash College earn a median of $40,138 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor University came in at #24 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,490. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,832 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Taylor University generally make around $45,090. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Saint Marys College earned the #25 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,230. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Saint Marys College generally make around $32,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Marys College admits about 76% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & journalism value ranking:
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
View All Communication & Journalism Rankings >
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
