2026 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 71 schools to find the best return on investment for general journalism students.
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2026 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Journalism Schools
Our analysis ranked Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis the best value for a degree in general journalism in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,837 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $38,540 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,837 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh one of the best values for general journalism. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $26,373. General Journalism graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $19,500. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $39,992. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,293. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #6 position for value in general journalism this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $36,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $31,753. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Oakland University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $26,000. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $35,545. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #9 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $36,139 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $40,942. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Wayne State University landed the #11 spot for general journalism value this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $26,591. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Ball State University came in at #12 for value in general journalism this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $25,675. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $31,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,346. General Journalism graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,346 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University earned the #14 position for value in general journalism this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $25,033. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #15 for value in general journalism this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $40,575. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #16 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University placed #17 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,735 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $31,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Illinois State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $36,643 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent placed #19 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $43,468. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,208. General Journalism graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $38,246 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University earned the #21 position for value in general journalism this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,985 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $36,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #22 spot for general journalism value this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,159 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
North Central College earned the #23 position for value in general journalism this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. In-state tuition and fees average $45,726. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $25,699. General Journalism graduates of North Central College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $26,250. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $34,829. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #25 spot for general journalism value this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $26,000. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $31,369. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value General Journalism Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general journalism:
Narrow General Journalism Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
