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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Wisconsin

13 Colleges in the United States
$25,401 Avg Student Debt
$57,320 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Badge [Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & journalism students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Wisconsin

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

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools

1

University Of Wisconsin Parkside tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $37,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Green Bay one of the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $37,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned it the #3 place for communication & journalism. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,212 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $38,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

4

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,990 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $35,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned it the #5 place for communication & journalism. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,317 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $44,532 early in their careers. Set against $24,317 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

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6

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #6 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,455 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $40,293 early in their careers. Set against $24,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

7

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $37,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8

University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #8 for value in communication & journalism this year. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $41,371. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

9

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #9 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. 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 $23,250 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $39,707. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

10

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $38,040. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

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11

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #11 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $22,730 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $40,333 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.

12
Mount Mary College crest
Mount Mary College
Milwaukee, WI

Mount Mary College came in at #12 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Mount Mary College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,420. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,372. Communication & Journalism graduates of Mount Mary College earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.

13

Saint Norbert College placed #13 among the best values for communication & journalism. Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of De Pere. Students from in state pay about $45,580 in tuition and fees. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Saint Norbert College generally make around $38,287. Set against $26,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

14

Concordia University Wisconsin came in at #14 for value in communication & journalism this year. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,172. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $58,227. Set against $27,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

15
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University landed the #15 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,170. Students borrow a median of $25,137 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $39,980. Set against $25,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 32 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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