2026 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin
[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communications education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for communications students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Communications Schools in Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communications Schools
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #1 spot for value among communications schools in Wisconsin. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $37,107. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Communications graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $37,807 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $39,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $22,730. Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $40,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,730 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Wisconsin earned the #6 position for value in communications this year. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,172 in student loans. Communications graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $58,227 early in their careers. Set against $27,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Marquette University came in at #7 for value in communications this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Communications graduates carry a median of $23,531 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
More Communications Rankings
View All Communications Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
