Communication programs across the Midwest's 143 institutions produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $33,267 to $89,363. The region's communication degree holders earn a median of $57,358—$1,541 higher than the national average, demonstrating strong program outcomes in journalism, media careers, and public relations.
Leading the list is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, achieving the highest program earnings at $66,507. Northwestern University follows closely with $62,765, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign rounds out the top tier at $60,558, showcasing how flagship public universities compete with elite private colleges for graduate outcomes.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Augsburg UniversityPrivate | Minneapolis, MN | $63,850 Median Communication Earnings | $21,318 | 82.0% | 51.7% |
| #22 | Augustana CollegePrivate | Rock Island, IL | $63,730 Median Communication Earnings | $15,787 | 62.7% | 72.9% |
| #23 | Drake UniversityPrivate | Des Moines, IA | $63,167 Median Communication Earnings | $25,824 | 63.8% | 74.0% |
| #24 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | Chicago, IL | $63,057 Median Communication Earnings | $28,992 | 81.6% | 73.0% |
| #25 | Bloomington, IN | $62,833 Median Communication Earnings | $6,324 | 78.2% | 80.2% | |
| #26 | Creighton UniversityPrivate | Omaha, NE | $62,722 Median Communication Earnings | $20,472 | 79.8% | 83.4% |
| #27 | Siena Heights UniversityPrivate | Adrian, MI | $62,530 Median Communication Earnings | $15,624 | 68.9% | 38.6% |
| #28 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | Evanston, IL | $62,510 Median Communication Earnings | $1,764 | 7.7% | 95.1% |
| #29 | John Carroll UniversityPrivate | University Heights, OH | $62,270 Median Communication Earnings | $19,945 | 80.9% | 78.5% |
| #30 | Normal, IL | $61,992 Median Communication Earnings | $11,568 | 88.1% | 64.5% | |
| #31 | University Of KansasPublic | Lawrence, KS | $61,633 Median Communication Earnings | $12,544 | 93.5% | 68.8% |
| #32 | Columbus, OH | $61,251 Median Communication Earnings | $4,885 | 60.6% | 87.7% | |
| #33 | Simpson CollegePrivate | Indianola, IA | $61,219 Median Communication Earnings | $17,941 | 86.2% | 63.3% |
| #34 | The College Of WoosterPrivate | Wooster, OH | $60,884 Median Communication Earnings | $12,512 | 59.5% | 73.9% |
| #35 | Wheaton CollegePrivate | Wheaton, IL | $60,695 Median Communication Earnings | $20,001 | 87.4% | 84.8% |
| #36 | Coe CollegePrivate | Cedar Rapids, IA | $60,540 Median Communication Earnings | $11,479 | 64.0% | 65.9% |
| #37 | Carthage CollegePrivate | Kenosha, WI | $59,757 Median Communication Earnings | $23,293 | 87.1% | 64.3% |
| #38 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | Ames, IA | $59,668 Median Communication Earnings | $10,582 | 88.7% | 75.3% |
| #39 | Hamline UniversityPrivate | Saint Paul, MN | $59,557 Median Communication Earnings | $15,371 | 87.6% | 60.5% |
| #40 | Omaha, NE | $59,452 Median Communication Earnings | $10,534 | 87.0% | 47.1% |
