College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

47 Ranked Colleges
3,362 Degrees Awarded
$16,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, we looked at 47 colleges that offer a degree in communication sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Communication Sciences Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Communication Sciences Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences in the Great Lakes Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 39 degrees to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

UW - River Falls also took the #19 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $13,844 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 UW - River Falls

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 56 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $14,462 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students.

Read more about Communication Sciences at SIUE

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 117 degrees to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $16,051 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

4
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Michigan University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Central Michigan is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 131 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $16,007 for great lakes region communication sciences students.

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

5

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Illinois State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 107 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois State also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $20,830 for great lakes region communication sciences students.

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 more about Communication Sciences at Illinois State University

6

University of Akron Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Akron, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 76 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $17,945 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at University of Akron Main Campus

7

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Stevens Point, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 67 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students list, UW - Stevens Point has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,346 for great lakes region communication sciences students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at UW - Stevens Point

8

Northern Illinois University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Northern Illinois University is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,956 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students per year to attend NIU.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Northern Illinois University

9

Grand Valley State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Grand Valley State University is a large school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 86 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $17,356 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students.

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

10

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #10. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a public institution located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,417 for great lakes region communication sciences students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

Read more about Communication Sciences at UW - Whitewater

11
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 126 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $13,377 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Purdue University - Main Campus

12
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It awarded 17 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,127 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students per year to attend Eastern Michigan.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Eastern Michigan University

13

Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ohio University - Athens Campus is located in Athens, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 99 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

OHIO Athens not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio University - Athens Campus is $23,831 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Ohio University - Athens Campus

14

Baldwin Wallace University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Baldwin Wallace University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Berea, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Baldwin Wallace University is $25,361 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Baldwin Wallace University

15
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

With a ranking of #15, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 68 degrees to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WMU is $20,371 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students.

Full WMU Communication Sciences Report

16

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #16. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WIU is $15,305 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Western Illinois University

17
Calvin crest
Calvin University
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Calvin University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Calvin University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 54 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Calvin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $26,082 for great lakes region communication sciences students per year to attend Calvin University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Calvin

18

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school awarded 176 degrees to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC is $22,415 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, 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 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

19
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school awarded 93 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $14,765 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students.

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%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Ball State University

20

Kent State University at Kent came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Kent, Ohio, this large public school handed out 89 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,117 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students per year to attend Kent State University at Kent.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Kent State University at Kent

21
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Charleston, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 46 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend EIU is $13,098 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at EIU

22

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 69 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $18,558 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students per year to attend BGSU.

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

23
GSU crest
Governors State University
University Park, Illinois

Governors State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in University Park, Illinois, and it awarded 56 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Governors State University is $10,436 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students.

Full GSU Communication Sciences Report

24
SXU crest
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #24. SXU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,024 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students per year to attend SXU.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Saint Xavier University

25
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Indiana State University is a medium-sized school located in Terre Haute, Indiana that handed out 45 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,270 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students per year to attend Indiana State University.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Indiana State

Switch to a Similar Major

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options