2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Indiana
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & journalism education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
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2026 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. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Ivy Tech Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $11,889. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for communication & journalism. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,347 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast 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. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $26,777. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Indiana University South Bend, which ranked #5. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $59,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. 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. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,462 in student loans. 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.
Purdue University Northwest placed #8 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $25,541. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #9 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,992 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $38,265. Set against $19,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #10 for value in communication & journalism this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $39,712. That is a strong return on a $25,289 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Purdue University Global ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, 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.
Indiana State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $34,213 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #13 position for value in communication & journalism this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,405. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $34,299. That is a strong return on a $24,405 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Ball State University placed #14 among the best values for communication & journalism. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $36,837 early in their careers. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Students borrow a median of $32,807 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $48,225 early in their careers. Set against $32,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Indianapolis landed the #16 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $33,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
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. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $35,164. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
Hanover College placed #18 among the best values for communication & journalism. Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,698. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Hanover College earn a median of $31,621 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin College landed the #19 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Franklin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Franklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,710. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,964. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,832. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Taylor University generally make around $45,090. That is a strong return on a $21,832 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Depauw University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,070. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of Depauw University earn a median of $43,141 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depauw University admits about 57% of applicants.
Saint Marys College earned the #22 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,230. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,322. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Saint Marys College admits about 76% of applicants.
Butler University earned the #23 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,560. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,176 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $39,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
