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2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

39 Ranked Colleges
1,518 Degrees Awarded
$16,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 11,380 people earned their degree in general journalism, making the major the 69th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,518 general journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 39 colleges that offer a degree in general journalism. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general journalism programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general journalism program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. 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 Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Journalism in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 209 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $17,234 for great lakes region journalism students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 General Journalism at University of Wisconsin - Madison

2
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Journalism 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. IU Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 123 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $14,619 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Journalism at Indiana University - Bloomington

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 53 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC also made our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $14,321 for great lakes region journalism students with aid per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.

Read full report on General Journalism at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

4

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #4 spot on the list. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for IUPUI is $12,416 for great lakes region journalism students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Journalism at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

5
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Michigan State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 111 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students with aid list, Michigan State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $19,058 for great lakes region journalism students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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 General Journalism at Michigan State University

6
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 68 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students with aid list, Ball State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,765 for great lakes region journalism students with aid per year to attend Ball State.

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 General Journalism at Ball State

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 55 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

UW - Whitewater also made our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $14,417 for great lakes region journalism students with aid per year to attend UW - Whitewater.

Read more about General Journalism at UW - Whitewater

8

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a fairly large school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 18 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UW Oshkosh did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is $14,687 for great lakes region journalism students with aid.

Read more about General Journalism at UW Oshkosh

9
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #9, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 29 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students with aid list, Oakland has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland University is $13,449 for great lakes region journalism students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on General Journalism at Oakland University

10
Indiana University - Southeast crest
Indiana University - Southeast
New Albany, Indiana

With a ranking of #10, Indiana University - Southeast did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. New Albany, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,446 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students with aid per year to attend Indiana University - Southeast.

Full Indiana University - Southeast General Journalism Report

11
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Central Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 19 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan also took the #20 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan University is $16,007 for great lakes region journalism students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Journalism at Central Michigan University

12

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $16,285 for great lakes region journalism students with aid.

Read more about General Journalism at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

13

Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. OHIO Athens is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 160 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

OHIO Athens not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for OHIO Athens is $23,831 for great lakes region journalism students with aid.

Full OHIO Athens General Journalism Report

14

With a ranking of #14, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Kent, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

Kent State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $19,117 for great lakes region journalism students with aid per year to attend Kent State University at Kent.

Read more about General Journalism at Kent State University at Kent

15

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,051 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire General Journalism Report

16

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region journalism students with aid list, UC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $22,415 for great lakes region journalism students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 General Journalism at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

17

University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized school located in River Falls, Wisconsin that handed out 3 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $13,844 for great lakes region journalism students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 General Journalism at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

18
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

WMU also took the #21 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $20,371 for great lakes region journalism students with aid.

Full Western Michigan University General Journalism Report

19

Miami University - Oxford came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 37 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Miami University - Oxford, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $24,756 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students with aid per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.

Full Miami University - Oxford General Journalism Report

20

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $16,845 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students with aid per year to attend Ohio State.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on General Journalism at Ohio State

21
USI crest
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Southern Indiana is a medium-sized school located in Evansville, Indiana that handed out 3 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Southern Indiana is $13,481 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 General Journalism at University of Southern Indiana

22
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 10 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $13,098 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students with aid.

Read more about General Journalism at EIU

23
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Wayne State is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Wayne State is $13,962 for great lakes region journalism students with aid.

Full Wayne State General Journalism Report

24

With a ranking of #24, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,034 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students with aid per year to attend UIS.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Journalism at UIS

25

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and it awarded 10 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $18,558 for Great Lakes Region Journalism students with aid per year to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus.

Read full report on General Journalism at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

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