2026 Best Value Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2026 list of the best value communications schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Communications graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $38,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

2

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $24,322. Communications graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $32,050 early in their careers. Set against $24,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.

3

University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI

University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $37,107. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.

4

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $59,776. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for communications. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $19,500. Early-career communications graduates make about $37,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

6

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #6 for value in communications this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $37,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

7

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #7 spot for communications value this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $37,807. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #8 for value in communications this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $39,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

9

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $25,990 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $35,724. That is a strong return on a $25,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

10

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $40,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.

11

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #11 for value in communications this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $25,347. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

12

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint came in at #12 for value in communications this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Communications graduates carry a median of $30,250 in student loans. Communications graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $35,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,250 median debt. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.

13

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University came in at #13 for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $29,242. Communications graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $53,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.

14

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #14 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $22,730 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $40,333. That is a strong return on a $22,730 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

15

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #15 spot for communications value this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Communications graduates carry a median of $32,807 in student loans. Communications graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $53,752 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Albion College
Albion, MI

Albion College came in at #16 for value in communications this year. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. In-state tuition and fees average $56,950. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $39,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.

17

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University earned the #17 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,000. Communications graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $31,169 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

18

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #18 position for value in communications this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,000. Communications graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $35,804 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

19

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #19 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,750. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,390. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

20

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for communications value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Communications graduates carry a median of $24,063 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

21

University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

University Of Indianapolis earned the #21 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Indianapolis generally make around $33,054. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Indianapolis admits about 66% of applicants.

22

Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University earned the #22 position for value in communications this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $35,164. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.

23

Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH

Ohio Wesleyan University came in at #23 for value in communications this year. Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Delaware. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,248. Students borrow a median of $26,868 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $31,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

24

Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Mount Vernon, OH

Mount Vernon Nazarene University placed #24 among the best values for communications. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,193. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,602 in student loans. Communications graduates of Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn a median of $53,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

25

Hanover College
Hanover, IN

Hanover College earned the #25 position for value in communications this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,698. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Hanover College generally make around $31,621. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Hanover College admits about 84% of applicants.