101
Ranked Colleges
9,064
Degrees Awarded
$14,600
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Communication & Media Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 10th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 66,787 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,115 and had an average of $25,414 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 9,064 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,036 and $25,485 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 101 colleges that offer a degree 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.
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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.
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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region communications students with aid.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 391 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Purdue is $13,377 for great lakes region communications students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, 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 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Purdue University - Main Campus
Out of the 101 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 458 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $14,619 for great lakes region communications students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.
Full Indiana University - Bloomington Communication & Media Studies Report
Out of the 101 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 327 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $14,321 for great lakes region communications students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Full UIUC Communication & Media Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 277 students in 2020-2021.
U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $14,878 for great lakes region communications students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at U-M
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 334 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Madison also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $17,234 for Great Lakes Region Communications students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national 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
Michigan State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Michigan State is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 543 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region communications students with aid list, Michigan State has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,058 for great lakes region communications students with aid per year to attend Michigan State University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 Michigan State University
With a ranking of #7, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 90 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $12,416 for Great Lakes Region Communications students with aid.
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 more about Communication & Media Studies at IUPUI
With a ranking of #8, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Whitewater, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 117 students in 2020-2021.
UW - Whitewater also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $14,417 for Great Lakes Region Communications students with aid.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UW - Whitewater
University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 126 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,214 for great lakes region communications students with aid per year to attend UIC.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Illinois at Chicago
Northwestern University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 207 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $23,279 for great lakes region communications students with aid per year to attend Northwestern.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northwestern
Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Ohio State is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 580 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,845 for Great Lakes Region Communications students with aid per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #12, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UW - La Crosse is a fairly large school located in La Crosse, Wisconsin that handed out 81 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,654 for great lakes region communications students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 UW - La Crosse Communication & Media Studies Report
University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. This medium-sized school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 33 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,855 for great lakes region communications students with aid per year to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Michigan - Dearborn
Oakland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Oakland University is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 144 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,449 for great lakes region communications students with aid per year to attend Oakland.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Oakland University Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #15, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 222 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
UWM also took the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UWM is $17,486 for great lakes region communications students with aid.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. This fairly large school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 55 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Eau Claire not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $16,051 for Great Lakes Region Communications students with aid.
Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #17, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school handed out 87 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $14,765 for great lakes region communications students with aid.
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%.
Full Ball State University Communication & Media Studies Report
Sinclair Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sinclair Community College is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,959 for great lakes region communications students with aid per year to attend Sinclair Community College.
Full Sinclair Community College Communication & Media Studies Report
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and it awarded 54 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,687 for Great Lakes Region Communications students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UW Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 87 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,346 for great lakes region communications students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UW - Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin - Parkside came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UW - Parkside is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 49 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend UW - Parkside is $11,082 for Great Lakes Region Communications students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Wisconsin - Parkside Communication & Media Studies Report
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 116 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,462 for Great Lakes Region Communications students with aid per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at SIUE
Indiana University - Kokomo came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. IU Kokomo is a small public school situated in Kokomo, Indiana. It awarded 18 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for IU Kokomo is $10,703 for great lakes region communications students with aid.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at IU Kokomo
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 289 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
UC also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $22,415 for Great Lakes Region Communications students with aid per year to attend UC.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Purdue University Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Purdue Northwest is a medium-sized school located in Hammond, Indiana that handed out 75 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Purdue University Northwest is $11,384 for great lakes region communications students with aid.
Full Purdue Northwest Communication & Media Studies Report
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