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# Best Advertising Programs in the Midwest (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Regional list from [Best Advertising Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-advertising-programs/)

This page ranks 60 Advertising programs in the Midwest by median earnings of Advertising graduates four years after completing. [University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign](/school/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign/majors/) leads the list with median earnings of $83,451 for its graduates four years after completing.

Across the listed schools, the figure ranges from $83,451 to $28,960, with a median of $60,100.

The list includes 27 public and 33 private nonprofit institutions. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks 35th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and College of the Ozarks posts the lowest average net price at $6,100.

## The ranked list

60 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, IL | $83,451 | $14,355 | $2,038 | 42.4% |
|  | [University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign](/school/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign/majors/) reports [median earnings of $83,451](/school/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, the highest on this list. |
| 2 | Miami University-Oxford · Oxford, OH | $79,710 | $28,384 | $16,015 | 75.4% |
|  | [Miami University-Oxford](/school/miami-university-oxford/majors/) [admits 75% of applicants](/school/miami-university-oxford/admissions/) and its Advertising graduates earn a median of $79,710 four years after completing. |
| 3 | Butler University · Indianapolis, IN | $75,382 | $36,041 | $25,278 | 85.1% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Butler University left with a median of $26,000 in federal loans, and its Advertising completers earn $75,382 four years after completing. |
| 4 | Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion · Marion, IN | $71,669 | $22,866 | $19,793 | 88.9% |
|  | [Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion](/school/indiana-wesleyan-university-marion/majors/) ranks 4th on this list and carries an [average net price of $22,866](/school/indiana-wesleyan-university-marion/cost/). |
| 5 | DePaul University · Chicago, IL | $71,045 | $30,902 | $27,359 | 75.9% |
|  | [DePaul University](/school/depaul-university/majors/) posts a [median of $71,045](/school/depaul-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, with 168 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 6 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Bowling Green, OH | $70,583 | $24,022 | $18,396 | 81.0% |
|  | [Bowling Green State University-Main Campus](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/majors/) [ranks 740th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and its Advertising graduates earn a median of $70,583 four years after completing. |
| 7 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $69,300 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
|  | [Michigan State University](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $19,680](/school/michigan-state-university/cost/) and median earnings of $69,300 for its Advertising graduates four years after completing. |
| 8 | Loyola University Chicago · Chicago, IL | $68,942 | $36,079 | $28,992 | 81.6% |
|  | [Loyola University Chicago](/school/loyola-university-chicago/majors/) [admits 82% of applicants](/school/loyola-university-chicago/admissions/) and its Advertising completers earn a median of $68,942 four years after completing. |
| 9 | Carthage College · Kenosha, WI | $68,708 | $26,565 | $23,293 | 87.1% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed at [Carthage College](/school/carthage-college/majors/) left with a [median of $26,000](/school/carthage-college/outcomes/) in federal loans, and its Advertising completers earn $68,708 four years after completing. |
| 10 | Illinois State University · Normal, IL | $67,752 | $19,398 | $11,568 | 88.2% |
|  | [Illinois State University](/school/illinois-state-university/majors/) ranks 10th on this list and reports [median earnings of $67,752](/school/illinois-state-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing. |
| 11 | South Dakota State University · Brookings, SD | $67,607 | $19,841 | $14,266 | 98.3% |
|  | [South Dakota State University](/school/south-dakota-state-university/majors/) [admits 98% of applicants](/school/south-dakota-state-university/admissions/) and its Advertising graduates earn a median of $67,607 four years after completing. |
| 12 | Columbia College Chicago · Chicago, IL | $66,798 | $26,598 | $20,924 | 89.5% |
|  | Columbia College Chicago carries an average net price of $26,598 and its Advertising completers earn a median of $66,798 four years after completing. |
| 13 | Marquette University · Milwaukee, WI | $64,978 | $31,487 | $22,269 | 81.3% |
|  | [Marquette University](/school/marquette-university/majors/) reports [$64,978 in median earnings](/school/marquette-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $31,487. |
| 14 | Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI | $64,127 | $15,273 | $5,263 | 84.6% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed from [Western Michigan University](/school/western-michigan-university/majors/) left with a [median of $26,188](/school/western-michigan-university/outcomes/) in federal loans, while its Advertising completers earned a median of $64,127 four years after completing. |
| 15 | University of Northern Iowa · Cedar Falls, IA | $64,067 | $15,901 | $10,863 | 92.7% |
|  | [University of Northern Iowa](/school/university-of-northern-iowa/majors/) [admits 93% of applicants](/school/university-of-northern-iowa/admissions/) and ranks 435th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 16 | Drake University · Des Moines, IA | $63,302 | $29,127 | $25,824 | 63.9% |
|  | [Drake University](/school/drake-university/majors/) ranks 16th on this list, with [median earnings of $63,302](/school/drake-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing. |
| 17 | Iowa State University · Ames, IA | $62,965 | $18,589 | $10,582 | 88.7% |
|  | A public university in Ames, [Iowa State University](/school/iowa-state-university/majors/) shows an [average net price of $10,582](/school/iowa-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 18 | Siena Heights University · Adrian, MI | $62,530 | $17,124 | $15,624 | 68.9% |
|  | [Siena Heights University](/school/siena-heights-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $62,530](/school/siena-heights-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 12 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 19 | Loras College · Dubuque, IA | $62,087 | $20,716 | $20,479 | 99.9% |
|  | With an admission rate of 100%, Loras College reports median federal debt of $26,000 across all of its borrowers who completed. |
| 20 | Baldwin Wallace University · Berea, OH | $61,966 | $27,603 | $21,296 | 75.7% |
|  | [Baldwin Wallace University](/school/baldwin-wallace-university/majors/) [ranks 1059th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/baldwin-wallace-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and lists an average net price of $27,603. |
| 21 | University of Central Missouri · Warrensburg, MO | $61,784 | $14,462 | $10,965 | 63.8% |
|  | [University of Central Missouri](/school/university-of-central-missouri/majors/) reports [$61,784 in median earnings](/school/university-of-central-missouri/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $10,965 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 22 | Simpson College · Indianola, IA | $61,219 | $21,936 | $17,941 | 86.2% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed from [Simpson College](/school/simpson-college/majors/) left with a [median of $26,000](/school/simpson-college/outcomes/) in federal loans, and the school admits 86% of applicants. |
| 23 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln · Lincoln, NE | $61,145 | $17,747 | $12,751 | 87.5% |
|  | [University of Nebraska-Lincoln](/school/university-of-nebraska-lincoln/majors/) ranks 23rd on this list, with a cohort of 239 graduates in the earnings cohort for its Advertising program. |
| 24 | Ball State University · Muncie, IN | $60,686 | $14,940 | $7,834 | 85.5% |
|  | [Ball State University](/school/ball-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $60,686](/school/ball-state-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $14,940. |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh · Oshkosh, WI | $60,672 | $14,305 | $9,236 | 86.5% |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh](/school/university-of-wisconsin-oshkosh/majors/) reports [median earnings of $60,672](/school/university-of-wisconsin-oshkosh/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $9,236 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 26 | Xavier University · Cincinnati, OH | $60,642 | $32,997 | $26,728 | 86.4% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Cincinnati, [Xavier University](/school/xavier-university/majors/) [admits 86% of applicants](/school/xavier-university/admissions/) and its Advertising graduates earn a median of $60,642 four years after completing. |
| 27 | North Central College · Naperville, IL | $60,573 | $21,044 | $12,507 | 77.3% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a [median of $24,500](/school/north-central-college/outcomes/) in federal loans at [North Central College](/school/north-central-college/majors/), which ranks 942nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 28 | Coe College · Cedar Rapids, IA | $60,540 | $18,745 | $11,479 | 64.0% |
|  | Coe College ranks 28th on this list and posts an average net price of $18,745. |
| 29 | Missouri State University-Springfield · Springfield, MO | $60,390 | $17,613 | $13,718 | 90.5% |
|  | With 56 graduates in the earnings cohort, [Missouri State University-Springfield](/school/missouri-state-university-springfield/majors/) reports [median earnings of $60,390](/school/missouri-state-university-springfield/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing. |
| 30 | Kent State University at Kent · Kent, OH | $60,218 | $20,787 | $15,280 | 86.3% |
|  | [Kent State University at Kent](/school/kent-state-university-at-kent/majors/) [admits 86% of applicants](/school/kent-state-university-at-kent/admissions/) and its Advertising graduates earn a median of $60,218 four years after completing, just above the list median of $60,100. |
| 31 | Lewis University · Romeoville, IL | $59,981 | $17,028 | $10,382 | 71.3% |
|  | [Lewis University](/school/lewis-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $10,382](/school/lewis-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and a school-wide median federal debt of $21,500 across all borrowers who completed. |
| 32 | Eastern Michigan University · Ypsilanti, MI | $59,927 | $15,407 | $13,250 | 79.6% |
|  | [Eastern Michigan University](/school/eastern-michigan-university/majors/) [ranks 319th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/eastern-michigan-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $59,927 for its Advertising graduates four years after completing. |
| 33 | Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI | $59,522 | $17,597 | $12,185 | 89.8% |
|  | [Central Michigan University](/school/central-michigan-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $59,522](/school/central-michigan-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, with 91 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 34 | Eastern Illinois University · Charleston, IL | $59,401 | $12,786 | $9,828 | 65.4% |
|  | A public university in Charleston, [Eastern Illinois University](/school/eastern-illinois-university/majors/) [admits 65% of applicants](/school/eastern-illinois-university/admissions/) and posts an average net price of $12,786. |
| 35 | Wayne State University · Detroit, MI | $59,025 | $12,766 | $11,090 | 81.2% |
|  | [Wayne State University](/school/wayne-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $59,025](/school/wayne-state-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $11,090 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 36 | Bradley University · Peoria, IL | $58,515 | $22,719 | $17,269 | 76.8% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a [median of $27,000](/school/bradley-university/outcomes/) in federal loans at [Bradley University](/school/bradley-university/majors/), which ranks 587th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 37 | Southeast Missouri State University · Cape Girardeau, MO | $58,082 | $15,882 | $12,704 | 73.5% |
|  | [Southeast Missouri State University](/school/southeast-missouri-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $58,082](/school/southeast-missouri-state-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, with 56 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 38 | Otterbein University · Westerville, OH | $58,065 | $19,237 | $12,458 | 84.5% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed at [Otterbein University](/school/otterbein-university/majors/) left with a [median of $26,000](/school/otterbein-university/outcomes/) in federal loans, and the school's Advertising graduates earned a median of $58,065 four years after completing. |
| 39 | Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI | $57,599 | $16,317 | $12,272 | 83.0% |
|  | [Grand Valley State University](/school/grand-valley-state-university/majors/) [admits 83% of applicants](/school/grand-valley-state-university/admissions/) and ranks 210th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 40 | Olivet Nazarene University · Bourbonnais, IL | $56,435 | $20,729 | $17,232 | 55.9% |
|  | [Olivet Nazarene University](/school/olivet-nazarene-university/majors/) has an [average net price of $20,729](/school/olivet-nazarene-university/cost/) and a median of $56,435 in earnings for its Advertising graduates four years after completing. |
| 41 | Cleveland State University · Cleveland, OH | $55,174 | $14,764 | $11,958 | 91.3% |
|  | [Cleveland State University](/school/cleveland-state-university/majors/) ranks 41st on this list, with [median earnings of $55,174](/school/cleveland-state-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing and a cohort of 102. |
| 42 | Lindenwood University · Saint Charles, MO | $55,003 | $19,638 | $15,678 | 56.8% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Saint Charles, [Lindenwood University](/school/lindenwood-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $15,678](/school/lindenwood-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 43 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus · Fargo, ND | $54,656 | $15,543 | $9,370 | 95.0% |
|  | [North Dakota State University-Main Campus](/school/north-dakota-state-university-main-campus/majors/) posts [median earnings of $54,656](/school/north-dakota-state-university-main-campus/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 95%. |
| 44 | Franklin College · Franklin, IN | $54,298 | $22,855 | $14,790 | 69.8% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed at [Franklin College](/school/franklin-college/majors/) left with a [median of $27,000](/school/franklin-college/outcomes/) in federal loans, and the school ranks 1162nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 45 | Webster University · Saint Louis, MO | $54,217 | $27,047 | $22,359 | 86.2% |
|  | [Webster University](/school/webster-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $54,217](/school/webster-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $27,047. |
| 46 | Minnesota State University Moorhead · Moorhead, MN | $53,036 | $17,997 | $11,129 | 58.8% |
|  | [Minnesota State University Moorhead](/school/minnesota-state-university-moorhead/majors/) [admits 59% of applicants](/school/minnesota-state-university-moorhead/admissions/) and its Advertising graduates earned a median of $53,036 four years after completing. |
| 47 | University of Akron Main Campus · Akron, OH | $51,824 | $13,946 | $10,413 | 59.7% |
|  | [University of Akron Main Campus](/school/university-of-akron-main-campus/majors/) ranks 47th on this list, with an [average net price of $10,413](/school/university-of-akron-main-campus/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 48 | Ferris State University · Big Rapids, MI | $51,396 | $8,624 | $2,556 | 91.4% |
|  | [Ferris State University](/school/ferris-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $51,396](/school/ferris-state-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, and graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $21,000 in federal loans. |
| 49 | Capital University · Columbus, OH | $49,426 | $22,576 | $19,062 | 70.2% |
|  | [Capital University](/school/capital-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $49,426](/school/capital-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 7 graduates in the earnings data. |
| 50 | College of the Ozarks · Point Lookout, MO | $44,554 | $6,100 | $6,381 | 12.0% |
|  | [College of the Ozarks](/school/college-of-the-ozarks/majors/) posts an [average net price of $6,100](/school/college-of-the-ozarks/cost/) and admits 12% of applicants. |
| 51 | Ashland University · Ashland, OH | $43,296 | $21,988 | $16,489 | 76.4% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a [median of $25,000](/school/ashland-university/outcomes/) in federal loans at [Ashland University](/school/ashland-university/majors/), which ranks 51st on this page. |
| 52 | University of Mount Union · Alliance, OH | $36,042 | $23,280 | $16,786 | 78.2% |
|  | [University of Mount Union](/school/university-of-mount-union/majors/) posts an [admission rate of 78%](/school/university-of-mount-union/admissions/) and an average net price of $16,786 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 53 | Marietta College · Marietta, OH | $35,416 | $21,083 | $18,254 | 79.3% |
|  | Marietta College ranks 1088th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with a cohort of 6 graduates in the earnings data. |
| 54 | Drury University · Springfield, MO | $35,416 | $20,831 | $18,759 | 57.6% |
|  | [Drury University](/school/drury-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $35,416](/school/drury-university/outcomes/) for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $20,831. |
| 55 | University of Northwestern-St Paul · Saint Paul, MN | $35,060 | $27,705 | $26,696 | 93.5% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 93%](/school/university-of-northwestern-st-paul/admissions/), [University of Northwestern-St Paul](/school/university-of-northwestern-st-paul/majors/) ranks 1293rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 56 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota · Winona, MN | $33,993 | $11,704 | $16,182 | 92.8% |
|  | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota reports an average net price of $11,704 and median earnings of $33,993 for its Advertising graduates four years after completing. |
| 57 | Northern Michigan University · Marquette, MI | $33,993 | $14,085 | $7,697 | 84.0% |
|  | A public university in Marquette, [Northern Michigan University](/school/northern-michigan-university/majors/) ranks 57th on this list and reports an [average net price of $7,697](/school/northern-michigan-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 58 | Ohio Dominican University · Columbus, OH | $33,281 | $20,079 | $16,997 | 94.2% |
|  | Ohio Dominican University admits 94% of applicants, and its Advertising graduates earn a median of $33,281 four years after completing. |
| 59 | Saint Ambrose University · Davenport, IA | $32,382 | $24,691 | $22,037 | 77.3% |
|  | Saint Ambrose University ranks 765th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with a cohort of 6 graduates in the earnings data. |
| 60 | Monmouth College · Monmouth, IL | $28,960 | $17,133 | $12,483 | 90.9% |
|  | Monmouth College reports median earnings of $28,960 for its Advertising graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 8 graduates in the earnings data. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Advertising graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the Midwest appear. The figures are medians for federally aided completers of each program who were working and not enrolled four years after completing. For 9 of the 60 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The gap between University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Miami University-Oxford is $3,741, and the spread from the top of the list to the bottom reaches $54,491.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Advertising Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-advertising-programs/)
-   [Best Colleges in the Midwest](/rankings/best-colleges-in-the-midwest/)
-   [Best Advertising Programs in the Northeast](/rankings/best-advertising-programs-in-the-northeast/)
-   [Best Advertising Programs in the South](/rankings/best-advertising-programs-in-the-south/)
-   [Best Advertising Programs in the West](/rankings/best-advertising-programs-in-the-west/)
-   Communication Colleges in the Midwest