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2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region

54 Ranked Colleges
562 Degrees Awarded
$48,158 Avg Salary
Schools for a Master's Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 62,855 degrees handed out in 2021-2022, communication & media studies is the 10th most popular major in the United States. 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. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 562 communication & media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,182 and $43,142 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, we looked at 54 colleges that offer a degree in communication & media studies. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their communication & media studies program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

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 for a Master’s 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 for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Great Lakes Region

1
Spring Arbor crest
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, Michigan

Out of the 54 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Spring Arbor University landed the #1 spot on the list. Spring Arbor University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Spring Arbor, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 masters’s 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%.

Full Spring Arbor Communication & Media Studies Report

2
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 194 students in 2021-2022.

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 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%.

Full Purdue Communication & Media Studies Report

3
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 93 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 99%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.1% 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northwestern

4
Andrews crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Andrews University. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region. Andrews University is a small school located in Berrien Springs, Michigan that handed out 2 masters’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 Andrews University

5
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

Out of the 54 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Illinois University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Charleston, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 17 degrees to qualified masters’s communications students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at EIU

6

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #6. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 7 masters’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Communication & Media Studies Report

7

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #7. Illinois State University is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 19 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

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%.

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

8
Columbia crest
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago ranked #8 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 6 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Columbia College Chicago

9
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #9, Marquette University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Marquette is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 17 masters’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, 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 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Marquette University Communication & Media Studies Report

10

With a ranking of #10, Purdue University Northwest did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Hammond, Indiana, and it awarded 6 masters’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 Purdue University Northwest

11

Youngstown State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified masters’s communications 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Youngstown State University

12

The University of Findlay ranked #12 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. The University of Findlay is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Findlay, Ohio. It awarded 5 masters’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%.

Full The University of Findlay Communication & Media Studies Report

13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 6 masters’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Communication & Media Studies Report

14

With a ranking of #14, Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Bowling Green, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 40 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

15
GSU crest
Governors State University
University Park, Illinois

Governors State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. GSU is a small school located in University Park, Illinois that handed out 3 masters’s communications degrees 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Governors State University

16
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

With a ranking of #16, Purdue University Fort Wayne did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public institution located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Purdue University Fort Wayne

17

With a ranking of #17, University of Michigan - Flint did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Michigan - Flint is a medium-sized school located in Flint, Michigan that handed out 25 masters’s communications 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%.

Full UM Flint Communication & Media Studies Report

18

University of Dayton ranked #18 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 5 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at UDayton

19

Indiana University - South Bend did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #19. Indiana University - South Bend is located in South Bend, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Indiana University - South Bend Communication & Media Studies Report

20

Northern Illinois University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 NIU

21
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University ranked #21 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 6 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%.

Full Oakland University Communication & Media Studies Report

22
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Wayne State University is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 12 masters’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Wayne State

23

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UIS is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 7 masters’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UIS Communication & Media Studies Report

24
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 10 masters’s communications degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 DePaul

25

Grand Valley State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. GVSU is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Grand Valley State University

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