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Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

192 Colleges
$32,706 Avg Salary
$25,824 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor's Degree School for You

In 2020-2021, 66,787 communication and media studies students received a degree or certificate, making the major the #10 most popular in the country.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 192 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which bachelor's degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Communication & Media Studies program at each school on the list.

Check out the communications bachelor's degree programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the Great Lakes Region .

Our analysis found Ohio State University - Main Campus to be the most popular school for communication and media studies students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public school with a very large student population.

Women make up 55% of the communications majors at the school.

On average, communications graduates from Ohio State take out $23,263 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $286.

Read More…

#2

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

The in-demand bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular communication and media studies schools in the Great Lakes Region . Michigan State is a fairly large public school located in the small city of East Lansing.

Women make up 40% of the communications majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that communications majors at Michigan State take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $26,210. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $444, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Out of the 192 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the # 3 spot on the list. IU Bloomington is a fairly large public school located in the city of Bloomington.

About 54% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 46% are male.

Communications majors at IU Bloomington take out an average of $20,772 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $534.

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Out of the 192 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public school with a very large student population.

Of the 316 students majoring in communications at UW - Madison, 36% are male and 64% are female.

The average amount in student loans that communications majors at UW - Madison take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $20,723. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $432.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Madison

The in-demand bachelor’s degree programs at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular communication and media studies schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public school with a very large student population.

Women make up 63% of the communications majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, communications majors at UIUC accumulate an average of around $18,713 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $296.

Full Communication & Media Studies at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Report

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public school with a fairly large student population.

About 73% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 27% are male.

The average amount in student loans that communications majors at U-M take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $17,698. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $435, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for communication and media studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list. UC is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati.

Of the 253 students majoring in communications at UC, 28% are male and 72% are female.

On average, communications graduates from UC take out $24,341 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $278.

Full Communication & Media Studies at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Report

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Milwaukee, UWM is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Of the 205 students majoring in communications at UWM, 35% are male and 65% are female.

On average, communications graduates from UWM take out $27,245 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $234.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

With a ranking of #9, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the town of Athens, OHIO Athens is a public school with a very large student population.

Of the 202 students majoring in communications at OHIO Athens, 33% are male and 67% are female.

The average amount in student loans that communications majors at OHIO Athens take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $22,153. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $377.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Ohio University - Athens Campus Report

Illinois State University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree communication and media studies programs. Illinois State is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal.

Women make up 53% of the communications majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, communications majors at Illinois State accumulate an average of around $19,641 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $242.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Illinois State University Report

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for communication and media studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Kent State is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Kent.

Of the 173 students majoring in communications at Kent State, 35% are male and 65% are female.

The average amount in student loans that communications majors at Kent State take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $27,543. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $285.

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Northern Illinois University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for communication and media studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #12 on the list. NIU is a fairly large public school located in the small suburb of Dekalb.

Women make up 42% of the communications majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that communications majors at NIU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $27,694. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $199, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Northern Illinois University Report

#13

DePaul University

Chicago, IL

DePaul University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

Of the 156 students majoring in communications at DePaul, 31% are male and 69% are female.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, communications graduates from DePaul carry an average student debt load of $22,655. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $389.

Full Communication & Media Studies at DePaul University Report

#14

University of Dayton

Dayton, OH

University of Dayton came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the midsize city of Dayton, UDayton is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

Of the 153 students majoring in communications at UDayton, 35% are male and 65% are female.

When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $471.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Dayton

#15

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

With a ranking of #15, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public college with a very large student population.

Women make up 74% of the communications majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that communications majors at Purdue take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $18,976. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $368, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#16

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland is a public school with a large student population.

Women make up 75% of the communications majors at the school.

Communications majors at Oakland take out an average of $25,143 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $195.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Oakland University Report

#17

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI

With a ranking of #17, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Eastern Michigan is a large public school located in the large suburb of Ypsilanti.

Women make up 60% of the communications majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, communications majors at Eastern Michigan accumulate an average of around $29,454 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $128, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Eastern Michigan University Report

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for communication and media studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list. UIC is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Chicago.

About 59% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 41% are male.

On average, communications graduates from UIC take out $19,365 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $274, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Communication & Media Studies at University of Illinois at Chicago Report

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - Whitewater is a large public school located in the distant town of Whitewater.

About 52% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 48% are male.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, communications majors at UW - Whitewater accumulate an average of around $23,720 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $260.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

#20

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree communication and media studies programs. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

About 65% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 35% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, communications graduates from Northwestern carry an average student debt load of $19,125.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northwestern University

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree communication and media studies programs. SIUE is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville.

Women make up 59% of the communications majors at the school.

On average, communications graduates from SIUE take out $24,274 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $198, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UW - Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point.

Women make up 56% of the communications majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that communications majors at UW - Stevens Point take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $23,947. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $214.

Full Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Report

With a ranking of #23, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Indianapolis, IUPUI is a public school with a very large student population.

Of the 85 students majoring in communications at IUPUI, 32% are male and 68% are female.

Communications majors at IUPUI take out an average of $25,552 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Report

With a ranking of #24, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. UW - La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse.

Women make up 64% of the communications majors at the school.

On average, communications graduates from UW - La Crosse take out $21,686 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $113, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Report

#25

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

With a ranking of #25, Ball State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Of the 78 students majoring in communications at Ball State, 33% are male and 67% are female.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, communications graduates from Ball State carry an average student debt load of $20,163. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $301.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Ball State University

#28

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
29 DePauw University Greencastle, IN
30 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
31 John Carroll University University Heights, OH
31 Purdue University Northwest Hammond, IN
33 Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN
34 Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH
34 Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH
36 Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL
37 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI
38 Wayne State University Detroit, MI

Best Communication & Media Studies Colleges by State

Explore the best communication and media studies schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 1,789
Ohio 2,149
Illinois 2,072
Indiana 1,600
Wisconsin 1,297

Communication & Media Studies is one of 5 different types of programs to choose from.

Majors Similar to Communications

Related Major Annual Graduates
Public Relations & Advertising 21,099
Radio, Television & Digital Communication 17,669
Journalism 13,552
Communication & Journalism (Other) 1,128
Publishing 336

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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