2026 Best General Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

No school ranked higher than Indiana University Bloomington this year for general journalism. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 105 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $39,992 in their early career. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general journalism from Indiana University Bloomington

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

Students looking for a strong general journalism program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 167 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $40,942 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general journalism, ranking #3. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $36,303 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $22,300 in student loans. See the full general journalism program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general journalism, ranking #4. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 52 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $31,955 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,346 in student loans. Read more about the general journalism program at Ohio State University Main Campus

5

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 22 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn around $50,590 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

6

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #6 position for general journalism this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 98 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $36,912 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,985 to complete this degree. See the full general journalism program report for Michigan State University

7

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago came in at #7 for general journalism this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 general journalism degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $38,302 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general journalism program at Loyola University Chicago

8

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University came in at #8 for general journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 36 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Illinois State University earn around $36,643 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general journalism details for Illinois State University

9

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 104 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $38,246 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,208. More information about a degree in general journalism from Ohio University Main Campus

10

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford came in at #10 for general journalism this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 27 general journalism degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $32,840 in the first couple years of their career. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the general journalism program at Miami University Oxford

11

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Marquette University awarded about 24 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $38,700. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for Marquette University

12

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #12 spot for general journalism this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 31 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $35,231 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,334. Read more about the general journalism program at Depaul University

13

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 31 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $34,829 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,250. Get the full general journalism details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

14

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University placed #14 among the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Butler University graduates 79% of students within six years. Butler University awarded about 11 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Butler University earn around $68,222 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351. Read more about the general journalism program at Butler University

15

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Read more about the general journalism program at Eastern Illinois University

16

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #16 for general journalism this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 50 general journalism degrees were awarded at Ball State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $31,398. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $25,675 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for Ball State University

17

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #17 spot for general journalism this year. This large public university is located in the town of Whitewater. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater awarded about 34 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $36,139 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

18

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent came in at #18 for general journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 63 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Kent State University At Kent earn around $43,468 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full general journalism program report for Kent State University At Kent

19

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #19 spot for general journalism this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 21 general journalism degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $38,540 early in their careers. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $22,837 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

20

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for general journalism this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 11 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $41,159 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full general journalism program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

21

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College landed the #21 spot for general journalism this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. About 64% of students finish within six years. North Central College awarded about 12 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $46,247 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,699. Get the full general journalism details for North Central College

22

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #22 spot for general journalism this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 21 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Typical student debt for the program is $22,574. More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

23

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University landed the #23 spot for general journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $31,753 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the general journalism program at Northern Illinois University

24

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago came in at #24 for general journalism this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $31,369 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general journalism from Columbia College Chicago

25

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #25 for general journalism this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. About 58% of students finish within six years. Oakland University awarded about 10 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Oakland University earn around $35,545 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general journalism details for Oakland University