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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

45 Ranked Colleges
3,362 Degrees Awarded
$15,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

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 Getting Aid” 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.

This year’s “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 45 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

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 Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

1
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 126 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,377 for great lakes region communication sciences students with aid per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Purdue

2
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 105 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $14,619 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate 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 more about Communication Sciences at IU Bloomington

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 153 degrees to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $17,234 for great lakes region communication sciences students with aid.

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 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 Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Madison

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 89 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students with aid list, UIUC has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $14,321 for great lakes region communication sciences students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at UIUC

5
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ball State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Ball State is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 93 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State University is $14,765 for great lakes region communication sciences 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 more about Communication Sciences at Ball State

6
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northwestern University 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. It costs about $23,279 for great lakes region communication sciences students with aid per year to attend Northwestern University.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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.

Full Northwestern University Communication Sciences Report

7

University of Wisconsin - River Falls came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UW - River Falls is located in River Falls, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

UW - River Falls also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $13,844 for great lakes region communication sciences students with aid per year to attend UW - River Falls.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

8

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a fairly large school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 117 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $16,051 for great lakes region communication sciences students with aid per year to attend UW - Eau Claire.

Full UW - Eau Claire Communication Sciences Report

9

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 67 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students 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 UW - Stevens Point is $13,346 for great lakes region communication sciences students with aid.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

10

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Ohio State University - Main Campus is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 147 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

Ohio State also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $16,845 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students with aid per year to attend Ohio State.

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

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Ohio State University - Main Campus

11

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. UW - Whitewater is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,417 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

Full UW - Whitewater Communication Sciences Report

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 176 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $22,415 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

13
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 89 students in 2020-2021.

Wayne State also took the #24 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State is $13,962 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students with aid.

Full Wayne State Communication Sciences Report

14
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students with aid list, Michigan State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $19,058 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences 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 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Michigan State University Communication Sciences Report

15
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Central Michigan is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 131 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $16,007 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences 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%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Central Michigan

16
GSU crest
Governors State University
University Park, Illinois

With a ranking of #16, Governors State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in University Park, Illinois, and it awarded 56 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,436 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students with aid per year to attend Governors State University.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at GSU

17
SXU crest
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Saint Xavier University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 60 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Xavier University is $13,024 for great lakes region communication sciences students with aid.

Read more about Communication Sciences at SXU

18
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. WMU is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students with aid list, WMU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Michigan University is $20,371 for great lakes region communication sciences students with aid.

Full Western Michigan University Communication Sciences Report

19

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 56 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,462 for great lakes region communication sciences students with aid per year to attend SIUE.

Read more about Communication Sciences at SIUE

20
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. EIU is a public institution located in Charleston, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,098 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students with aid per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Read more about Communication Sciences at EIU

21
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indiana State is a medium-sized school located in Terre Haute, Indiana that handed out 45 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,270 for great lakes region communication sciences students with aid per year to attend Indiana State University.

Full Indiana State Communication Sciences Report

22
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. PFW is a public institution located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,629 for great lakes region communication sciences students with aid per year to attend PFW.

Full Purdue University Fort Wayne Communication Sciences Report

23

With a ranking of #23, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 48 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,486 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students with aid per year to attend UWM.

Read more about Communication Sciences at UWM

24
GVSU crest
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 86 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,356 for great lakes region communication sciences students with aid per year to attend GVSU.

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%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Grand Valley State University

25
Illinois State crest
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 107 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region communication sciences students with aid list, Illinois State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $20,830 for Great Lakes Region Communication Sciences students with aid.

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%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Illinois State

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