2026 Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Communication Sciences & Disorders](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/communication-sciences-and-disorders-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general communication sciences & disorders education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general communication sciences & disorders schools.
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2026 Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general communication sciences & disorders, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools
Governors State University tops our 2026 list of the best value general communication sciences & disorders schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $59,492. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College Illinois is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general communication sciences & disorders, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general communication sciences & disorders, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $56,611 early in their careers. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general communication sciences & disorders will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $46,477 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Indiana State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general communication sciences & disorders schools. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Soon after graduation, general communication sciences & disorders degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $58,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #6 among the best values for general communication sciences & disorders. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $20,750. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $55,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general communication sciences & disorders schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $19,500. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $59,451. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Wayne State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general communication sciences & disorders schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $24,849. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $41,122 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,849 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #9 spot for general communication sciences & disorders value this year. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $61,494 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University earned the #10 position for value in general communication sciences & disorders this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $23,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general communication sciences & disorders degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $51,591. Set against $23,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for general communication sciences & disorders. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $51,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #12 for value in general communication sciences & disorders this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $26,211. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $58,302. Set against $26,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #13 among the best values for general communication sciences & disorders. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Soon after graduation, general communication sciences & disorders degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $56,983. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #14 among the best values for general communication sciences & disorders. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $57,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #15 for value in general communication sciences & disorders this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $22,225 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $49,096. Set against $22,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent placed #16 among the best values for general communication sciences & disorders. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $44,776. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for general communication sciences & disorders. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $58,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #18 for value in general communication sciences & disorders this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $25,213. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $57,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in general communication sciences & disorders this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $23,943. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $56,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College landed the #20 spot for general communication sciences & disorders value this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $57,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for general communication sciences & disorders. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,987 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $36,862. Set against $25,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Calvin College landed the #22 spot for general communication sciences & disorders value this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $63,533. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #23 spot for general communication sciences & disorders value this year. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $27,172. Soon after graduation, general communication sciences & disorders degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $58,227. That is a strong return on a $27,172 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Northwestern University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general communication sciences & disorders schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $72,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Baldwin Wallace College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general communication sciences & disorders schools. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. Students from in state pay about $39,832 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $27,307. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $49,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general communication sciences & disorders value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
