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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region

252 Ranked Colleges
17,907 Degrees Awarded
$30,500 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 120,571 people earned their degree in communication and journalism, making the major the 11th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, communication and journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,266 and had an average of $24,758 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 17,907 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,371 and $25,050 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking analyzed 252 colleges that offered a degree in communication and journalism. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their communication and journalism program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The communication & journalism school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region communication & journalism students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Communication & Journalism in the Great Lakes Region

1

Out of the 252 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, International College of Broadcasting landed the #1 spot on the list. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at International College of Broadcasting

2
Wilberforce University crest
Wilberforce University
Wilberforce, Ohio

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wilberforce University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Wilberforce University is located in Wilberforce, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Wilberforce University

3
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Hanover College
Hanover, Indiana

Out of the 252 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Hanover College landed the #3 spot on the list. Hanover, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Hanover

4
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DePauw University
Greencastle, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend DePauw University. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region. DePauw is a small school located in Greencastle, Indiana that handed out 66 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at DePauw University

5
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Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia College Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region. Columbia is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 158 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Columbia

6
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Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #6. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school handed out 1,336 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Michigan State

7
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Albion College
Albion, Michigan

Albion College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Albion is a private not-for-profit institution located in Albion, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Albion College

8
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Franklin College
Franklin, Indiana

Franklin College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Franklin, Indiana, and it awarded 24 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Franklin College Communication & Journalism Report

9
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Rochester University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Rochester University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at RU

10
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Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #10. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 823 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Northwestern University

11
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Denison University
Granville, Ohio

Denison University ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Granville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Denison Communication & Journalism Report

12
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Principia College
Elsah, Illinois

Principia College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Principia College is a small school located in Elsah, Illinois that handed out 8 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Principia College

13
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Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University ranked #13 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Ball State is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 521 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Ball State

14
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Butler University
Indianapolis, Indiana

Butler University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 118 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Butler University

15

With a ranking of #15, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region list. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 114 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Communication & Journalism Report

16
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John Carroll University
University Heights, Ohio

With a ranking of #16, John Carroll University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region list. John Carroll is a private not-for-profit institution located in University Heights, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 68 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at John Carroll University

17
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DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. DePaul University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 455 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full DePaul Communication & Journalism Report

18
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Ripon College
Ripon, Wisconsin

Ripon College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Ripon, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Ripon College

19

Great Lakes Christian College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #19. Great Lakes Christian College is a small school located in Lansing, Michigan that handed out 2 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Great Lakes Christian College Communication & Journalism Report

20

Miami University - Oxford came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large school located in Oxford, Ohio that handed out 388 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Miami University - Oxford

21
Augustana crest
Augustana College
Rock Island, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, Augustana College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Rock Island, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 57 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Augustana College

22
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Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio

With a ranking of #22, Otterbein University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Otterbein is a private not-for-profit institution located in Westerville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Otterbein

23
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Saint Norbert College
De Pere, Wisconsin

Saint Norbert College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. De Pere, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at SNC

24

With a ranking of #24, The College of Wooster did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Wooster, Ohio, and it awarded 29 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at The College of Wooster

25
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Alma College
Alma, Michigan

Alma College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Alma, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 22 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Alma

Rest of the Best 38 in Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in the Great Lakes Region

Not only did these schools make the top 38 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
Illinois State crest
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
28
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Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois
29
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Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois
30
31
32
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
33
Indiana University - Southeast crest
Indiana University - Southeast
New Albany, Indiana
34
35
36
37
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana
38
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Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

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