2027 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 50 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools
Saint Xavier University tops our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools in the Great Lakes Region. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $16,420. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $64,446. Set against $16,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $24,849. Communication Sciences 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. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $19,500. Communication Sciences graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $59,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $58,679. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Andrews University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $25,307. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $65,951. Set against $25,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #6 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,117 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $49,125. Set against $21,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Indiana University South Bend placed #7 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $47,733. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northern Illinois University placed #8 among the best values for communication sciences. 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. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $46,477. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in communication sciences this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $42,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Governors State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $59,492. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $22,225 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $49,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Western Illinois University came in at #12 for value in communication sciences this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,375. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $56,611. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $51,305. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #14 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #15 position for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $22,500. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $61,494. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University placed #16 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $25,500. Communication Sciences graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #17 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $19,875. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $41,346. That is a strong return on a $19,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #18 among the best values for communication sciences. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $55,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #19 for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $53,653 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Ball State University came in at #20 for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $63,387. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University came in at #21 for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $24,188. Communication Sciences graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $51,316 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #22 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $26,211. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $58,302. That is a strong return on a $26,211 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $56,128. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Western Michigan University landed the #24 spot for communication sciences value this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $57,490. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Grand Valley State University landed the #25 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $57,167 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication sciences:
Narrow Communication Sciences Schools by State
More Communication Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
