2026 Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Leading the list is Indiana University Bloomington, our #1 school for journalism. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 105 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $39,992 in their early career. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at Indiana University Bloomington

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for journalism. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 167 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $40,942 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full journalism details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for a strong journalism program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #3. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 42 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $36,303 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $22,300 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Students looking for a strong journalism program will find one at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 52 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $31,955. Students borrow a median of $23,346 to complete this degree. See the full journalism program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

5

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $50,590 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete this degree. See the full journalism program report for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

6

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #6 among the best journalism schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 98 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Michigan State University earn around $36,912 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,985. Get the full journalism details for Michigan State University

7

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago earned the #7 position for journalism this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $38,302 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full journalism program report for Loyola University Chicago

8

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 36 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $36,643. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for Illinois State University

9

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #9 position for journalism this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 121 journalism degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,246. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete this degree. See the full journalism program report for Ohio University Main Campus

10

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford came in at #10 for journalism this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $32,840 early in their careers. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in journalism from Miami University Oxford

11

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #11 for journalism this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Marquette University awarded about 24 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $38,700. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at Marquette University

12

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #12 among the best journalism schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $35,231. Students borrow a median of $24,334 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from Depaul University

13

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #13 among the best 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 33 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $34,829. Typical student debt for the program is $26,250. See the full journalism program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

14

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University earned the #14 position for journalism this year. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 11 journalism degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Students who receive their 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. More information about a degree in journalism from Butler University

15

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University landed the #15 spot for journalism this year. 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 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $43,603 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,293. More information about a degree in journalism from Eastern Illinois University

16

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University placed #16 among the best journalism schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 50 journalism degrees were awarded at Ball State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, 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. Read more about the journalism program at Ball State University

17

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #17 spot for journalism this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates 63% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater awarded about 34 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $36,139. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

18

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent came in at #18 for journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 63 journalism degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $43,468 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full journalism details for Kent State University At Kent

19

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 journalism degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $38,540 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,837. Read more about the journalism program at 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 journalism this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 12 journalism degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $41,159 in the first couple years of their career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

21

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College landed the #21 spot for journalism this year. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. North Central College awarded about 12 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of North Central College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,699. More information about a degree in journalism from North Central College

22

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #22 for journalism this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Typical student debt for the program is $22,574. See the full journalism program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

23

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University landed the #23 spot for journalism this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Northern Illinois University awarded about 13 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $31,753. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete this degree. Get the full journalism details for Northern Illinois University

24

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago placed #24 among the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 33 journalism degrees were awarded at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $31,369. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago

25

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Oakland University in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $35,545 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full journalism details for Oakland University