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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region

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Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking.

In 2021-2022, 62,855 communication & media studies students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. In , communication & media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $34,194 and had an average of $23,803 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 8,345 communication & media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,036 and $23,384 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 206 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication & media studies. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in communication & media studies.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region communications students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Great Lakes Region

1
Hanover crest
Hanover College
Hanover, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Hanover College. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region. Located in Hanover, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 28 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Hanover Communication & Media Studies Report

2
Wilberforce University crest
Wilberforce University
Wilberforce, Ohio

Out of the 206 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Wilberforce University landed the #2 spot on the list. Wilberforce University is located in Wilberforce, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Full Wilberforce University Communication & Media Studies Report

3
DePauw crest
DePauw University
Greencastle, Indiana

Out of the 206 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, DePauw University landed the #3 spot on the list. DePauw is a small school located in Greencastle, Indiana that handed out 50 ’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

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. 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 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at DePauw

4
RU crest
Rochester University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rochester University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 19 ’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full RU Communication & Media Studies Report

5
Albion crest
Albion College
Albion, Michigan

Out of the 206 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Albion College landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Albion, Michigan, and it awarded 13 ’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Albion Communication & Media Studies Report

6
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, Ohio

Denison University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Granville, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 64 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2021-2022.

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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 Denison

7
Principia crest
Principia College
Elsah, Illinois

Principia College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Principia is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elsah, Illinois. It awarded 11 ’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Principia

8
Ripon crest
Ripon College
Ripon, Wisconsin

Ripon College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #8. Ripon College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ripon, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Ripon College

9
John Carroll crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, Ohio

John Carroll University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #9. Located in University Heights, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 60 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full John Carroll University Communication & Media Studies Report

10
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Saint Norbert College
De Pere, Wisconsin

Saint Norbert College ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. De Pere, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 42 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Saint Norbert College

11

The College of Wooster ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Wooster, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 The College of Wooster

12

University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Blue Ash, Ohio, this medium-sized public school awarded 38 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Blue Ash College Communication & Media Studies Report

13

Heidelberg University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Tiffin, Ohio, and it awarded 12 ’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Heidelburg College Communication & Media Studies Report

14
Eureka College crest
Eureka College
Eureka, Illinois

Eureka College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Eureka, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 5 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%.

Full Eureka College Communication & Media Studies Report

15
IU East crest
Indiana University - East
Richmond, Indiana

Indiana University - East landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. IU East is a public institution located in Richmond, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

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 Indiana University - East

16
Augustana crest
Augustana College
Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Augustana College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Rock Island, Illinois. It awarded 34 ’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Augustana College

17

University of Dayton did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #17. University of Dayton is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 146 ’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%. 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 Dayton

18
Hope crest
Hope College
Holland, Michigan

Hope College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Hope College is located in Holland, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 39 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Hope

19
Aquinas College Michigan crest
Aquinas College Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Aquinas College Michigan ranked #19 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 13 ’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Aquinas College Michigan Communication & Media Studies Report

20
St. Mary's College crest
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Indiana

Saint Mary’s College ranked #20 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Saint Mary’s College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 20 ’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Saint Mary’s College Communication & Media Studies Report

21

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a medium-sized school located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin that handed out 48 ’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Communication & Media Studies Report

22

Indiana University - Southeast landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Indiana University - Southeast is a small school located in New Albany, Indiana that handed out 35 ’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Indiana University - Southeast

23

With a ranking of #23, Northeastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 64 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northeastern Illinois University

24
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #24. Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 470 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Michigan State

25

With a ranking of #25, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 458 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full IU Bloomington Communication & Media Studies Report

Rest of the Best 31 in Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region

Not only did these schools make the top 31 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
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Blackburn College
Carlinville, IL
27
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31

Notes and References

References

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