College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

52 Colleges in the United States
3,498 Communication Sciences Degrees Awarded
$54,213 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communication Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best communication sciences schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Communication Sciences in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall communication sciences education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Communication Sciences

1

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for communication sciences. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 160 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from Northwestern University earn around $72,396 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full communication sciences program report for Northwestern University

2
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Students looking for a strong communication sciences program will find one at Butler University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Butler University awarded about 26 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from Butler University earn around $68,222 in the first couple years of their career. Butler University graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication sciences from Butler University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for communication sciences. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 115 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $49,125. Students borrow a median of $21,117 to complete this degree. Get the full communication sciences details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 155 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $42,925. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in communication sciences from Purdue University Main Campus

5

Students looking for a strong communication sciences program will find one at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. About 121 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $41,346 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,875. Read more about the communication sciences program at Indiana University Bloomington

6

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for communication sciences this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 146 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication sciences program make about $47,994 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full communication sciences program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

7
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University placed #7 among the best communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Marquette University awarded about 84 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $60,040. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the communication sciences program at Marquette University

8

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #8 among the best communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 128 communication sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $49,675. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $25,952 in student loans. Get the full communication sciences details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

9
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best communication sciences schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 79 communication sciences students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication sciences program make about $57,845 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete this degree. Get the full communication sciences details for Michigan State University

10

Midwestern University Downers Grove placed #10 among the best communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Downers Grove, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 28 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Midwestern University Downers Grove in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Midwestern University Downers Grove generally make around $63,128. More information about a degree in communication sciences from Midwestern University Downers Grove

11
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, IL

Rush University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best communication sciences schools. Rush University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 36 communication sciences students who graduated with this degree at Rush University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication sciences program make about $72,979 in their early career. Rush University graduates carry a median of $31,206 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication sciences from Rush University

12

Saint Xavier University came in at #12 for communication sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 communication sciences students who graduated with this degree at Saint Xavier University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from Saint Xavier University earn around $64,446 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,420 to complete this degree. Get the full communication sciences details for Saint Xavier University

13
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 115 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Calvin College in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication sciences program make about $63,533 in their early career. Calvin College graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Read more about the communication sciences program at Calvin College

14
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University earned the #14 position for communication sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 33 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from Lewis University earn around $55,718 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete this degree. Get the full communication sciences details for Lewis University

15

Concordia University Wisconsin earned the #15 position for communication sciences this year. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. Concordia University Wisconsin graduates 69% of students within six years. Concordia University Wisconsin awarded about 31 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Communication Sciences graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $58,227 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,172. More information about a degree in communication sciences from Concordia University Wisconsin

16

Illinois State University came in at #16 for communication sciences this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 110 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Communication Sciences graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $54,477 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full communication sciences details for Illinois State University

17
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #17 for communication sciences this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. Depaul University awarded about 54 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,390. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Read more about the communication sciences program at Depaul University

18

Grand Valley State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best communication sciences schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 93 communication sciences students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $57,167. Typical student debt for the program is $26,378. Get the full communication sciences details for Grand Valley State University

19

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #19 position for communication sciences this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 98 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication sciences program make about $58,412 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete this degree. See the full communication sciences program report for Ohio University Main Campus

20

University Of Toledo earned the #20 position for communication sciences this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. University Of Toledo awarded about 71 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from University Of Toledo earn around $52,675 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete this degree. See the full communication sciences program report for University Of Toledo

21
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #21 for communication sciences this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 96 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Central Michigan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication sciences program make about $51,591 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,992. See the full communication sciences program report for Central Michigan University

22

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #22 spot for communication sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 145 communication sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn around $56,983 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication sciences from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

23

Augustana College Illinois placed #23 among the best communication sciences schools. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Augustana College Illinois awarded about 35 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication sciences program make about $39,096 in their early career. Augustana College Illinois graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the communication sciences program at Augustana College Illinois

24

Ball State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best communication sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 80 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Ball State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication sciences program make about $63,387 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication sciences from Ball State University

25

Wayne State University placed #25 among the best communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Wayne State University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 81 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Communication Sciences graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $41,122 early in their careers. Wayne State University graduates carry a median of $24,849 in student loans. Read more about the communication sciences program at Wayne State University

Rest of the Top 50 Communication Sciences Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication sciences ranking:

26
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Andrews University crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI
41
Saint Marys College crest
Saint Marys College
Notre Dame, IN
42
43
44
45
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
46
47
48
49
50
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Narrow Communication Sciences Schools by State

View All Communication Sciences Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 52 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options