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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #41 | Ottawa University-OttawaPrivate | Ottawa, KS | $59,445 Median Communication Earnings | $22,449 | 83.0% | 42.9% |
| #42 | Kalamazoo, MI | $59,417 Median Communication Earnings | $5,263 | 84.6% | 57.6% | |
| #43 | University Of IowaPublic | Iowa City, IA | $59,406 Median Communication Earnings | $15,316 | 83.6% | 74.6% |
| #44 | Lincoln, NE | $59,357 Median Communication Earnings | $12,751 | 87.5% | 67.0% | |
| #45 | Hanover CollegePrivate | Hanover, IN | $58,227 Median Communication Earnings | $16,832 | 83.7% | 67.1% |
| #46 | Brookings, SD | $57,972 Median Communication Earnings | $14,266 | 98.3% | 62.4% | |
| #47 | Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Lincoln, NE | $57,937 Median Communication Earnings | $14,925 | 79.8% | 66.1% |
| #48 | Saint Louis UniversityPrivate | Saint Louis, MO | $57,787 Median Communication Earnings | $22,501 | 75.0% | 79.5% |
| #49 | Charleston, IL | $57,727 Median Communication Earnings | $9,828 | 65.3% | 47.4% | |
| #50 | Xavier UniversityPrivate | Cincinnati, OH | $57,410 Median Communication Earnings | $26,728 | 86.4% | 68.7% |
| #51 | Baldwin Wallace UniversityPrivate | Berea, OH | $57,345 Median Communication Earnings | $21,296 | 75.7% | 66.8% |
| #52 | Oshkosh, WI | $57,007 Median Communication Earnings | $9,236 | 86.5% | 46.1% | |
| #53 | Columbia College ChicagoPrivate | Chicago, IL | $56,978 Median Communication Earnings | $20,924 | 89.5% | 51.5% |
| #54 | Bowling Green, OH | $56,881 Median Communication Earnings | $18,396 | 81.0% | 63.7% | |
| #55 | Chicago, IL | $56,845 Median Communication Earnings | $7,529 | 77.3% | 61.6% | |
| #56 | Mount Mary UniversityPrivate | Milwaukee, WI | $56,763 Median Communication Earnings | $18,155 | 62.3% | 43.0% |
| #57 | Wittenberg UniversityPrivate | Springfield, OH | $56,711 Median Communication Earnings | $17,609 | 72.4% | 52.7% |
| #58 | Lewis UniversityPrivate | Romeoville, IL | $56,497 Median Communication Earnings | $10,382 | 71.3% | 66.6% |
| #59 | La Crosse, WI | $56,470 Median Communication Earnings | $8,224 | 75.5% | 71.0% | |
| #60 | Saint Cloud, MN | $56,388 Median Communication Earnings | $8,909 | 94.8% | 40.3% |
