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2026 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools in the Great Lakes Region

30 Colleges in the United States
$22,352 Avg Student Debt
$53,115 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Badge [Radio, Television & Digital Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 114 schools to find the best return on investment for radio, television & digital communication students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools in the Great Lakes Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the radio, television & digital communication degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools

1
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

For return on investment in radio, television & digital communication, no school beat Lake Land College this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.

2
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

Students looking for strong value in radio, television & digital communication will find it at College Of Dupage, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.

3
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

A rank of #3 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.

4

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $22,959. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $28,508. That is a strong return on a $22,959 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University South Bend earned it the #5 place for radio, television & digital communication. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $22,625. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $30,190 early in their careers. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

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6
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global landed the #6 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $46,125 in student loans. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $48,015. Set against $46,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Eastern Illinois University came in at #7 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.

8

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #8 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

9

Youngstown State University placed #9 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $30,089. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

10

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #10 position for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $24,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $26,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

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11

Ball State University landed the #11 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $23,443 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $39,676 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

12

Wayne State University landed the #12 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $34,019. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $20,526. That is a strong return on a $34,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

13

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $26,000. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $31,699. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

14
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $29,205. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

15

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #15 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of Chicago landed the #16 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

17

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #17 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $25,025 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $25,057 early in their careers. Set against $25,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

18

Grand Valley State University placed #18 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. 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, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $24,894. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

19

Eastern Michigan University came in at #19 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. 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. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $28,781. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $47,887. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Toledo placed #20 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

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21

Western Michigan University came in at #21 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

22

Northern Michigan University landed the #22 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $40,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

23
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #23 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $25,213. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $69,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

24

Kent State University At Kent earned the #24 position for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $24,987 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $26,398. Set against $24,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

25

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in radio, television & digital communication:

26
27
28
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
29
30
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
39
40
41
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Narrow Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools by State

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 114 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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