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2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

22 Ranked Colleges
1,528 Degrees Awarded
$14,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 10,266 people earned their degree in communication and media studies, making the major the 82nd most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,528 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication and media studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and media studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The media studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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. 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 Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,788 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Communication & Media Studies Report

2
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 456 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $7,061 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full IU Bloomington Communication & Media Studies Report

3

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 36 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,036 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

4
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Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 320 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

Michigan State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,170 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Michigan State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Michigan State Communication & Media Studies Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 62 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUE, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $8,825 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

6

Indiana University - South Bend ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. South Bend, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Indiana University - South Bend has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $6,544 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - South Bend.

Full Indiana University - South Bend Communication & Media Studies Report

7
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, Ohio

With a ranking of #7, Denison University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Denison University is a small school located in Granville, Ohio that handed out 48 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Denison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,686 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Denison University.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Denison

8
Illinois State crest
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Illinois State is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 71 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,982 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois State.

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%.

Full Illinois State University Communication & Media Studies Report

9
USI crest
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. USI is a public institution located in Evansville, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, USI has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,440 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Southern Indiana.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Southern Indiana

10

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 104 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, UWM has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,351 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

11

With a ranking of #11, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 60 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Miami University - Oxford has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $16,062 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, 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.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Miami University - Oxford

12

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. OHIO Athens is located in Athens, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

OHIO Athens also took the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend OHIO Athens is $18,991 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Ohio University - Athens Campus Communication & Media Studies Report

13
GSU crest
Governors State University
University Park, Illinois

Governors State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in University Park, Illinois, this small public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.

GSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for GSU is $9,435 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Governors State University

14
Otterbein crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio

Otterbein University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Otterbein University is a small school located in Westerville, Ohio that handed out 5 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Otterbein, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Otterbein University is $16,175 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 & Media Studies at Otterbein University

15
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Olivet Nazarene University is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 30 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Olivet Nazarene, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,658 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Olivet Nazarene University

16

Wright State University - Main Campus landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Dayton, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 25 degrees to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.

Wright State University - Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,747 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wright State University - Main Campus.

Full Wright State University - Main Campus Communication & Media Studies Report

17

Heidelberg University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Heidelburg College is located in Tiffin, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

Heidelburg College also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Heidelberg University is $18,842 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Heidelburg College Communication & Media Studies Report

18
University of Saint Francis crest
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Saint Francis, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $12,679 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of St Francis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Saint Francis

19
SNC crest
Saint Norbert College
De Pere, Wisconsin

Saint Norbert College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in De Pere, Wisconsin, and it awarded 22 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

SNC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for SNC is $19,840 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 & Media Studies at Saint Norbert College

20
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, DePaul University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. DePaul is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 129 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

DePaul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $27,252 for Great Lakes Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend DePaul.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at DePaul University

21
RU crest
Rochester University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Rochester University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. RU is a small school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 23 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, RU has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rochester University is $16,676 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at RU

22

Trinity International University - Illinois landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Trinity International University - Illinois is a small school located in Deerfield, Illinois that handed out 5 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

TIU Illinois did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Trinity International University - Illinois is $19,089 for great lakes region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at TIU Illinois

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