2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
45
Ranked Colleges
3,362
Degrees Awarded
$10,400
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 22,298 people earned their degree in communication sciences, making the major the 47th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, communication sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $47,173 and had an average of $22,255 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,362 communication sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $44,753 and $23,595 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 45 colleges that offer a degree in communication sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication sciences programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 109 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.
Northwestern also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $917 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. 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 Sciences at Northwestern
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 153 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Madison also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $4,788 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, 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 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UW - Madison Communication Sciences Report
Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 126 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $5,853 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate 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 Purdue University - Main Campus Communication Sciences Report
Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #4 spot on the list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 105 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $7,061 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington
Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 89 degrees to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.
UIUC also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,036 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 147 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $8,581 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Communication Sciences Report
Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 93 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.
Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,786 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ball State University.
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%.
Full Ball State Communication Sciences Report
With a ranking of #8, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 39 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - River Falls has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $9,478 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - River Falls.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Communication Sciences Report
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a public institution located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 117 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Eau Claire also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $10,658 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Communication Sciences at UW - Eau Claire
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $8,825 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SIUE.
Read more about Communication Sciences at SIUE
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and it awarded 67 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Stevens Point, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $9,052 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Communication Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Wayne State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 89 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wayne State has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $11,414 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wayne State University.
Read more about Communication Sciences at Wayne State
Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Purdue University Fort Wayne is a medium-sized school located in Fort Wayne, Indiana that handed out 33 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,427 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Purdue University Fort Wayne.
Read more about Communication Sciences at PFW
Central Michigan University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Central Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 131 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,346 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Central Michigan.
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 Central Michigan University Communication Sciences Report
Grand Valley State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. GVSU is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 86 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,026 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grand Valley State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 GVSU Communication Sciences Report
Saint Mary’s College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Mary’s College is a small school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 47 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
St. Mary’s College also took the #10 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Mary’s College is $13,997 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Communication Sciences at Saint Mary’s College
Saint Xavier University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 60 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Saint Xavier University is $10,429 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Communication Sciences at SXU
Eastern Illinois University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Charleston, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 46 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Illinois University is $10,056 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Eastern Illinois University Communication Sciences Report
Illinois State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Illinois State University is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 107 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Illinois State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $14,982 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Communication Sciences at Illinois State University
With a ranking of #20, Indiana State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana State is a medium-sized public school situated in Terre Haute, Indiana. It awarded 45 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana State is $10,911 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Indiana State University Communication Sciences Report
Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $15,170 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Michigan State University Communication Sciences Report
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 50 degrees to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $10,390 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Communication Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
With a ranking of #23, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 35 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.
Case Western also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Case Western is $15,570 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Case Western Communication Sciences Report
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 176 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,966 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC.
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 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%.
Full UC Communication Sciences Report
Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.
WMU also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $15,552 for great lakes region communication sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Communication Sciences at Western Michigan University
