2027 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general communication sciences & disorders students.
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2027 Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general communication sciences & disorders degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools
Our analysis ranked Wayne State University the best value for a degree in general communication sciences & disorders in the Great Lakes Region. 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 $24,849 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $41,122 early in their careers. Set against $24,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general communication sciences & disorders, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $58,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Eastern Illinois University one of the best values for general communication sciences & disorders. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $59,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #4 place for general communication sciences & disorders. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, general communication sciences & disorders degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $59,492. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for general communication sciences & disorders. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $46,477. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #6 spot for general communication sciences & disorders value this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $22,225 in student loans. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $49,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,225 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Western Illinois University landed the #7 spot for general communication sciences & disorders value this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general communication sciences & disorders degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $56,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #8 spot for general communication sciences & disorders value this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $21,500. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $51,305. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #9 for value in general communication sciences & disorders this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $26,378. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $57,167 early in their careers. Set against $26,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #10 position for value in general communication sciences & disorders this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Soon after graduation, general communication sciences & disorders degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $61,494. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #11 among the best values for general communication sciences & disorders. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $55,083. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #12 spot for general communication sciences & disorders value this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $56,983. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #13 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. Students borrow a median of $26,211 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $58,302 early in their careers. Set against $26,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #14 for value in general communication sciences & disorders this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $23,992 in student loans. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $51,591. Set against $23,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #15 spot for general communication sciences & disorders value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $57,845. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
College Of Mount St Joseph landed the #16 spot for general communication sciences & disorders value this year. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,150 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,273 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Soon after graduation, general communication sciences & disorders degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $69,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Mount St Joseph admits about 59% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #17 position for value in general communication sciences & disorders this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $21,500. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for general communication sciences & disorders value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $58,412. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Augustana College Illinois placed #19 among the best values for general communication sciences & disorders. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Calvin College earned the #20 position for value in general communication sciences & disorders this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $63,533 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for general communication sciences & disorders. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates carry a median of $23,943 in student loans. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $56,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Elmhurst College placed #22 among the best values for general communication sciences & disorders. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $20,500. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $57,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys College earned the #23 position for value in general communication sciences & disorders this year. Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students from in state pay about $53,230 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. General Communication Sciences & Disorders graduates of Saint Marys College earn a median of $56,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #24 spot for general communication sciences & disorders value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for general communication sciences & disorders graduates is $25,987. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $36,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Baldwin Wallace College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general communication sciences & disorders schools. Located in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,832. Students borrow a median of $27,307 to complete the general communication sciences & disorders program here. Early-career general communication sciences & disorders graduates make about $49,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general communication sciences & disorders:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.