2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Michigan
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
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2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Washtenaw Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools in Michigan. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Oakland Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Flint earned it the #3 place for communication & journalism. 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, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $30,250. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $35,982. Set against $30,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ferris State University earned it the #4 place for communication & journalism. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,580. 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%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,172 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $38,150 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,376 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $50,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #7 position for value in communication & journalism this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $27,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,348. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wayne State University came in at #9 for value in communication & journalism this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,114 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $37,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $34,174 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Albion College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. In-state tuition and fees average $56,950. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Albion College earn a median of $39,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,883. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $36,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,704. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $37,642. Set against $26,704 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University landed the #14 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $38,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Siena Heights University came in at #15 for value in communication & journalism this year. Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. Students from in state pay about $30,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,900. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $39,677. Set against $24,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Central Michigan University landed the #16 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $36,882. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Michigan State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $24,430 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $44,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Cornerstone University placed #18 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,125. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $30,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester College placed #19 among the best values for communication & journalism. Rochester College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $29,196 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,166 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Rochester College generally make around $36,051. Set against $26,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Calvin College landed the #20 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $30,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.
Hope College came in at #21 for value in communication & journalism this year. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,484. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Hope College earn a median of $38,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Northwood University Michigan placed #22 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Midland, Northwood University Michigan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,400. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Northwood University Michigan generally make around $50,791. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwood University Michigan admits about 64% of applicants.
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
