2026 Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Audiovisual Communications](/majors/communications-tech-support/audiovisual-communications/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value audiovisual communications schools.
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2026 Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the audiovisual communications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools
Washtenaw Community College earned the #1 spot for value among audiovisual communications schools in the Great Lakes Region. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in audiovisual communications will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $14,636. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $16,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Elgin Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Cincinnati State Technical And Community College one of the best values for audiovisual communications. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $13,511 in student loans. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $27,936. That is a strong return on a $13,511 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Milwaukee Area Technical College one of the best values for audiovisual communications. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $38,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vincennes University placed #6 among the best values for audiovisual communications. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $45,976. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #7 spot for audiovisual communications value 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, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University earned the #8 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $22,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $34,043. Set against $22,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #9 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $54,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Ohio Media School Valley View earned the #10 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Valley View, Ohio Media School Valley View is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $13,722 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $16,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio Media School Cincinnati earned the #11 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Ohio Media School Cincinnati is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Norwood. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $9,500. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $14,618. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia College Chicago placed #12 among the best values for audiovisual communications. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $20,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Court Reporting Inc earned the #13 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. College Of Court Reporting Inc is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,080. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,927.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
