2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

For return on investment in communication sciences, no school beat Saint Xavier University this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,420 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $64,446. Set against $16,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

2

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $42,925. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

3

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

A rank of #3 makes Augustana College Illinois one of the best values for communication sciences. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $39,096. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

4

Indiana University South Bend
South Bend, IN

Indiana University South Bend came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $47,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

5

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $22,500. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $46,477. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

6

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University came in at #6 for value in communication sciences this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $59,492. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

7

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $56,611 early in their careers. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

8

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #8 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $53,653. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #9 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,117 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $49,125 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

10

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #10 position for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

11

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University came in at #11 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $58,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

12

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #12 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $41,346. Set against $19,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #13 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $55,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

14

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University placed #14 among the best values for communication sciences. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $59,451. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

15

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $24,849. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $41,122. That is a strong return on a $24,849 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #16 among the best values for communication sciences. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $61,494. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $21,500. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $51,305 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

18

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University earned the #18 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $63,387 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

19

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #19 for value in communication sciences this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $23,992. Communication Sciences graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $51,591 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

20

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences 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, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,211 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $58,302. Set against $26,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

21

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #21 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,952 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $49,675 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

22

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $56,128. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

23

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University came in at #23 for value in communication sciences this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $24,188 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $51,316. Set against $24,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

24

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #24 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $22,225. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $49,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

25

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #25 position for value in communication sciences this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $56,983 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.