2026 Best Value Radio & Television Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Radio & Television](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/radio-and-television/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong radio & television education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value radio & television schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Radio & Television Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the radio & television degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Radio & Television Schools
Our analysis ranked Lake Land College the best value for a degree in radio & television in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $7,769. Radio & Television graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
College Of Dupage is a great value for students pursuing a degree in radio & television, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $12,492. Radio & Television graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in radio & television will find it at Youngstown State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $26,250. Radio & Television graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $30,089 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in radio & television, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $24,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $26,494. That is a strong return on a $24,637 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in radio & television will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $34,019. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $20,526. That is a strong return on a $34,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Ball State University earned the #6 position for value in radio & television this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $23,443. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $39,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #7 spot for radio & television value this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Radio & Television graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $31,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Grand Valley State University landed the #8 spot for radio & television value this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,179. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #9 for value in radio & television 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. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $25,025 in student loans. Radio & Television graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $25,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,025 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo earned the #10 position for value in radio & television this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete the radio & television program here. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $52,675. Set against $24,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #11 position for value in radio & television this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $24,987 in student loans. Radio & Television graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,987 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in radio & television this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $25,000. Radio & Television graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $28,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ashland University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,210. Students borrow a median of $24,536 to complete the radio & television program here. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $48,852. That is a strong return on a $24,536 median debt. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
Bradley University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $27,000. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $32,742. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Ohio Media School Valley View placed #16 among the best values for radio & television. Ohio Media School Valley View is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Valley View. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Ohio Media School Valley View generally make around $18,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio Media School Cincinnati ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. Located in the suburb of Norwood, Ohio Media School Cincinnati is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the radio & television program here. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Ohio Media School Cincinnati generally make around $15,006. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Ohio Media School Columbus placed #18 among the best values for radio & television. The Ohio Media School Columbus is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the radio & television program here. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $18,896. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia College Chicago ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $25,420. Radio & Television graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $24,191 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,420 median debt. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Northwestern University landed the #20 spot for radio & television value this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the radio & television program here. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $56,833. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Illinois Media School Chicago Campus landed the #21 spot for radio & television value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Media School Chicago Campus is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of Illinois Media School Chicago Campus earn a median of $18,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Illinois Media School placed #22 among the best values for radio & television. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Media School is a small private for-profit university. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Illinois Media School generally make around $18,740. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Narrow Radio & Television Schools by State
More Radio & Television Rankings
View All Radio & Television Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
