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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

52 Colleges in the United States
3,608 Communication Sciences Degrees Awarded
$54,296 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communication Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 68 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for communication sciences students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Communication Sciences in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall communication sciences education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Communication Sciences

1

Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 123 communication sciences students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication sciences program make about $72,396 in their early career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. See the full communication sciences program report for Northwestern University

2
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

A rank of #2 makes Butler University one of the top schools for communication sciences. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 communication sciences students who graduated with this degree at Butler University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351. Read more about the communication sciences program at Butler University

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication sciences, ranking #3. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 105 communication sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $49,125 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,117 to complete this degree. Get the full communication sciences details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication sciences, ranking #4. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 165 communication sciences students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Communication Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $42,925 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication sciences program at Purdue University Main Campus

5

A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the top schools for communication sciences. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 128 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $41,346 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. See the full communication sciences program report for Indiana University Bloomington

6

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 169 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $47,994. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the communication sciences program at Ohio State University Main Campus

7
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, IL

Rush University came in at #7 for communication sciences this year. Rush University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 62 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Rush University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from Rush University earn around $72,979 in the first couple years of their career. Rush University graduates carry a median of $31,206 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication sciences from Rush University

8

Midwestern University Downers Grove placed #8 among the best communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Downers Grove, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 40 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Midwestern University Downers Grove in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication sciences program make about $63,128 in their early career. Get the full communication sciences details for Midwestern University Downers Grove

9
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best communication sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 79 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $57,845. Typical student debt for the program is $25,213. See the full communication sciences program report for Michigan State University

10

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #10 position for communication sciences this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 124 communication sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $49,675. Typical student debt for the program is $25,952. More information about a degree in communication sciences from University Of Wisconsin Madison

11
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best communication sciences schools. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. About 83% of students finish within six years. Marquette University awarded about 70 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from Marquette University earn around $60,040 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication sciences program at Marquette University

12

Saint Xavier University landed the #12 spot for communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Saint Xavier University awarded about 60 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Communication Sciences graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $64,446 early in their careers. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $16,420 in student loans. See the full communication sciences program report for Saint Xavier University

13

Case Western Reserve University placed #13 among the best communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Case Western Reserve University awarded about 19 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from Case Western Reserve University earn around $74,459 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,106. Get the full communication sciences details for Case Western Reserve University

14

Illinois State University placed #14 among the best communication sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 127 communication sciences students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $54,477. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in communication sciences from Illinois State University

15

Grand Valley State University came in at #15 for communication sciences this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 109 communication sciences students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $57,167. Typical student debt for the program is $26,378. See the full communication sciences program report for Grand Valley State University

16

Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best communication sciences schools. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Concordia University Wisconsin in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication sciences program make about $58,227 in their early career. Concordia University Wisconsin graduates carry a median of $27,172 in student loans. Get the full communication sciences details for Concordia University Wisconsin

17
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College landed the #17 spot for communication sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Elmhurst College graduates 70% of students within six years. Elmhurst College awarded about 70 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Communication Sciences graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $57,711 early in their careers. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full communication sciences program report for Elmhurst College

18
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College placed #18 among the best communication sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. About 74% of students finish within six years. Calvin College awarded about 74 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Communication Sciences graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $63,533 early in their careers. Calvin College graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Get the full communication sciences details for Calvin College

19
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University earned the #19 position for communication sciences this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 38 communication sciences students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from Lewis University earn around $55,718 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete this degree. See the full communication sciences program report for Lewis University

20
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best communication sciences schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Central Michigan University awarded about 100 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from Central Michigan University earn around $51,591 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,992. Read more about the communication sciences program at Central Michigan University

21

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #21 for communication sciences this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 87 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Communication Sciences graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $58,412 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,625. Get the full communication sciences details for Ohio University Main Campus

22

University Of Toledo placed #22 among the best communication sciences schools. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 62 communication sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Toledo in the most recent year. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. See the full communication sciences program report for University Of Toledo

23

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #23 among the best communication sciences schools. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 145 communication sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication sciences program make about $56,983 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full communication sciences details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

24

Wayne State University landed the #24 spot for communication sciences this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 83 communication sciences degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from Wayne State University earn around $41,122 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,849. More information about a degree in communication sciences from Wayne State University

25

Ball State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best communication sciences schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. About 62% of students finish within six years. Ball State University awarded about 81 communication sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication sciences degree from Ball State University earn around $63,387 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. See the full communication sciences program report for Ball State University

Rest of the Top 50 Communication Sciences Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong communication sciences education:

26
27
28
29
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
30
31
32
33
34
Andrews University crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Saint Marys College crest
Saint Marys College
Notre Dame, IN
46
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
47
48
49
50
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 68 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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