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2027 Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region

132 Colleges in the United States
13,519 Communication & Journalism Degrees Awarded
$38,855 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communication & Journalism programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 132 schools to find the best for communication & journalism students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Communication & Journalism in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the communication & journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Communication & Journalism

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in communication & journalism. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 220 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $50,556. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $20,376 in student loans. Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 924 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $39,728 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

University Of Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 52 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Chicago

4
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for a strong communication & journalism program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 247 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $59,776 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & journalism program at Purdue University Main Campus

5

Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 817 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $59,694. Students borrow a median of $15,954 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for Northwestern University

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 530 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $51,641 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $22,677 in student loans. See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

7

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #7 spot for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 632 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $38,187. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,992 in student loans. Read more about the communication & journalism program at Indiana University Bloomington

8

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 557 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $38,785 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,367 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Ohio State University Main Campus

9

University Of Dayton earned the #9 position for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 176 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $42,629. Typical student debt for the program is $25,375. See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Dayton

10

Miami University Oxford placed #10 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 335 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $49,207 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,181 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for Miami University Oxford

11

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #11 position for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 81 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $38,912. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

12

Illinois State University landed the #12 spot for communication & journalism this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 233 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $42,198 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,559 in student loans. Get the full communication & journalism details for Illinois State University

13
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 1,120 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $44,222 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,430. Read more about the communication & journalism program at Michigan State University

14
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. Denison University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 63 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Denison University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Denison University earn a median of $47,396 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,187. See the full communication & journalism program report for Denison University

15

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #15 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 80 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $40,293 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,455. Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

16
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Marquette University awarded about 124 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Marquette University earn around $40,235 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,137. Read more about the communication & journalism program at Marquette University

17

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #17 for communication & journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. About 428 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $36,559 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,935 in student loans. Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

18

Loyola University Chicago placed #18 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 180 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $42,035 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $24,497 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Loyola University Chicago

19
Taylor University crest
Taylor University
Upland, IN

Taylor University earned the #19 position for communication & journalism this year. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Taylor University awarded about 19 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $45,090 early in their careers. Taylor University graduates carry a median of $21,832 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Taylor University

20
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN

Depauw University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 65 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Depauw University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $43,141 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Depauw University

21
Wabash College crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN

Wabash College came in at #21 for communication & journalism this year. Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crawfordsville. Wabash College graduates 77% of students within six years. Wabash College awarded about 15 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Wabash College earn a median of $40,138 early in their careers. Wabash College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Wabash College

22

Northwood University Michigan earned the #22 position for communication & journalism this year. Northwood University Michigan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Midland. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 14 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Northwood University Michigan in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Northwood University Michigan earn a median of $50,791 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,250. Get the full communication & journalism details for Northwood University Michigan

23
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #23 for communication & journalism this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 313 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $47,340 in their early career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $24,320 in student loans. See the full communication & journalism program report for Depaul University

24

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 62 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $40,333 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates carry a median of $22,730 in student loans. See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

25
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University earned the #25 position for communication & journalism this year. John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of University Heights. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. John Carroll University awarded about 36 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $41,072 in their early career. John Carroll University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full communication & journalism details for John Carroll University

Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Journalism Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong communication & journalism education:

26
27
28
29
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI
30
31
32
33
Marietta College crest
Marietta College
Marietta, OH
34
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI
35
Trine University crest
Trine University
Angola, IN
36
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN
37
38
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 132 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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