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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

45 Ranked Colleges
3,362 Degrees Awarded
$9,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 22,298 people earned their degree in communication sciences, making the major the 47th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, communication sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $47,173 and had an average of $22,255 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,362 communication sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $44,753 and $23,595 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 45 colleges that offered a degree in communication sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication sciences programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 109 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $245 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Northwestern University

2

Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 153 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also took the #2 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $3,981 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, 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 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at UW - Madison

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 105 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $5,752 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington

4
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 126 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $5,995 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Purdue

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 89 degrees to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $4,858 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 Sciences at UIUC

6

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 147 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ohio State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $7,068 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Ohio State University - Main Campus

7
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 32 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $6,927 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 more about Communication Sciences at Michigan State University

8
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ball State is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 93 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,273 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ball State University.

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%.

Full Ball State Communication Sciences Report

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in River Falls, Wisconsin, and it awarded 39 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - River Falls not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,438 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW - River Falls.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at UW - River Falls

10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $8,047 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Communication Sciences Report

11
St. Mary's College crest
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Indiana

With a ranking of #11, Saint Mary’s College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, St. Mary’s College has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Mary’s College is $12,063 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Saint Mary’s College

12

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Eau Claire is a fairly large public school situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It awarded 117 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire also took the #17 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $9,547 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at UW - Eau Claire

13

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school handed out 176 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,061 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UC Communication Sciences Report

14
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 89 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Wayne State also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $11,060 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wayne State University.

Full Wayne State Communication Sciences Report

15

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Stevens Point is a medium-sized public school situated in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It awarded 67 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Stevens Point not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $7,903 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

16

With a ranking of #16, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. GVSU is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 86 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,259 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend GVSU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Grand Valley State University Communication Sciences Report

17
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 131 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $10,805 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 more about Communication Sciences at Central Michigan University

18
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fort Wayne, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend PFW is $7,414 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full PFW Communication Sciences Report

19
SXU crest
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SXU is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Xavier University is $9,716 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SXU Communication Sciences Report

20
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.

WMU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $13,112 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Western Michigan University

21

Illinois State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 107 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $13,783 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Illinois State University

22
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Terre Haute, Indiana. It awarded 45 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,104 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana State.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Indiana State

23

Case Western Reserve University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 35 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Case Western has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Case Western Reserve University is $16,063 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, 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 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Case Western

24

Miami University - Oxford landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 98 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Miami University - Oxford has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,956 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Miami University - Oxford

25

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 50 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $8,143 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication Sciences at UW - Whitewater

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