2026 Best Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, our #1 school for communications. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 206 communications degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $37,808. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the communications program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 95 communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $38,912 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,750. More information about a degree in communications from University Of Illinois At Chicago

3

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan State University awarded about 16 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Michigan State University earn around $36,390 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from Michigan State University

4

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. Marquette University awarded about 42 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $36,443 in their early career. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $23,531 in student loans. See the full communications program report for Marquette University

5

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 34 communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $40,333 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,730 to complete this degree. Get the full communications details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

6

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #6 position for communications this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 18 communications degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Communications graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $36,666 early in their careers. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,063 in student loans. See the full communications program report for Ohio University Main Campus

7

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #7 position for communications this year. This large public university is located in the town of Whitewater. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 116 communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $39,367 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full communications program report for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

8

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #8 for communications this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. University Of Akron Main Campus awarded about 11 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from University Of Akron Main Campus

9

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University earned the #9 position for communications this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 30% of students finish within six years. National Louis University awarded about 22 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from National Louis University earn around $53,733 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,242. See the full communications program report for National Louis University

10

Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH

Ohio Wesleyan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Set in the suburb of Delaware, Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Ohio Wesleyan University graduates 59% of students within six years. About 13 communications degrees were awarded at Ohio Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Communications graduates of Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of $31,531 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,868. See the full communications program report for Ohio Wesleyan University

11

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University placed #11 among the best communications schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 71 communications degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communications degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $40,683 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for Eastern Illinois University

12

Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University placed #12 among the best communications schools. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Valparaiso University awarded about 17 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Valparaiso University earn around $35,164 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from Valparaiso University

13

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #13 spot for communications this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 74 communications degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communications program make about $37,795 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for Oakland University

14

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 126 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $35,804 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in communications from Kent State University At Kent

15

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Springfield awarded about 31 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $32,050 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,322 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for University Of Illinois At Springfield

16

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay awarded about 40 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $37,807. Typical student debt for the program is $24,625. See the full communications program report for University Of Wisconsin Green Bay

17

Albion College
Albion, MI

Albion College landed the #17 spot for communications this year. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. Albion College graduates 62% of students within six years. Albion College awarded about 11 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $39,209. Albion College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full communications program report for Albion College

18

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #18 position for communications this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point awarded about 18 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $35,724. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates carry a median of $25,990 in student loans. See the full communications program report for University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

19

Hanover College
Hanover, IN

Hanover College earned the #19 position for communications this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. Hanover College graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 communications students who graduated with this degree at Hanover College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Hanover College earn around $31,621 in the first couple years of their career. Hanover College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in communications from Hanover College

20

Saint Marys College
Notre Dame, IN

Saint Marys College placed #20 among the best communications schools. Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 18 communications degrees were awarded at Saint Marys College in the most recent year. Communications graduates of Saint Marys College earn a median of $32,322 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for Saint Marys College

21

University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI

University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #21 among the best communications schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Kenosha. About 40% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Parkside in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn around $37,107 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full communications details for University Of Wisconsin Parkside

22

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #22 among the best communications schools. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. There were roughly 13 communications students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $53,752. Students borrow a median of $32,807 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

23

Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH

Franciscan University Of Steubenville ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 34 communications degrees were awarded at Franciscan University Of Steubenville in the most recent year. Communications graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $33,991 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,953. More information about a degree in communications from Franciscan University Of Steubenville

24

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago placed #24 among the best communications schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 15 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,160. Students borrow a median of $26,557 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from Columbia College Chicago

25

University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

University Of Indianapolis earned the #25 position for communications this year. University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Indianapolis in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $33,054 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for University Of Indianapolis