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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

15 Ranked Colleges
129 Degrees Awarded
$32,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 68,079 communication and media studies students received their degree, making the major the 9th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,728 and had an average of $24,931 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 9,349 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,317 and $25,730 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 129 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 15 colleges that offer a degree in communication and media studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication and media studies 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 and media studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 15 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

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 Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwestern has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northwestern University

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k 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 public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Communication & Media Studies Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Communication & Media Studies Report

#5

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 14 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full IU Bloomington Communication & Media Studies Report

#6

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 14 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Purdue has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Purdue University - Main Campus

#7

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#6 in overall quality

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056.

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

#8 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 10 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141.

Full Ohio State Communication & Media Studies Report

With a ranking of #9, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, SIUC has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Communication & Media Studies Report

#11 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Illinois at Chicago

#11

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wayne State University is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 5 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215.

Full Wayne State Communication & Media Studies Report

#12

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#12 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. UWM is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 2 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM also took the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UWM

#11 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

BGSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at BGSU

#9 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. OHIO Athens is a large public school situated in Athens, Ohio. It awarded 12 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

OHIO Athens also took the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full OHIO Athens Communication & Media Studies Report

#15 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Kent State is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 1 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State also took the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952.

Full Kent State Communication & Media Studies Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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