Best colleges for communications and journalism in Michigan
Colleges that offer a bachelor’s in communication, journalism, or a related field, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for communications and journalism in Michigan36 schools
36 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score. The top 25 are shown.
How this list is made
- Schools in Michigan.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Offers a bachelor’s program in communication and journalism, from the College Scorecard field-of-study data (credential level 3).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale, MI · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Michigan
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- 2
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A+ · Top 3%
- 3
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public#3 in Michigan
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 26%
- 4
Hope College
Holland, MI · Private nonprofit#5 in Michigan
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 5
Calvin University
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofit#6 in Michigan
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B
- 6
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI · PublicTop 9% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A · Top 7%
- 7
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI · Private nonprofitTop 18% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 32%
- 8
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A · Top 10%
- 9
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI · Private nonprofit#12 in Michigan
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 10
Alma College
Alma, MI · Private nonprofit#13 in Michigan
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 11
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A · Top 8%
- 12
Northwood University
Midland, MI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B
- 13
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI · PublicTop 25% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 34%
- 14
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · PublicTop 24% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A- · Top 20%
- 15
Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI · Private nonprofitTop 15% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade C+
- 16
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI · PublicTop 25% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 36%
- 17
Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 45%
- 18
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI · PublicTop 12% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A · Top 9%
- 19
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 20
Albion College
Albion, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 30%
- 21Tie
Madonna University
Livonia, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 32%
- 21Tie
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 41%
- 23
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 47%
- 24
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI · PublicGood: Compass grade B-
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 37%
- 25
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI · PublicTop 17% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 25%
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsdale College | — | — | — | 90% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $13,138 | $19,500 | $83,648 | 93% |
| Michigan State University | $19,680 | $23,250 | $67,253 | 81% |
| Hope College | $27,182 | $26,800 | $58,427 | 80% |
| Calvin University | $22,992 | $23,250 | $58,375 | 74% |
| Michigan Technological University | $14,182 | $24,990 | $78,198 | 68% |
| Andrews University | $12,547 | $26,000 | $53,187 | 72% |
| University of Detroit Mercy | $15,232 | $23,250 | $71,030 | 67% |
| Spring Arbor University | $19,353 | $26,375 | $51,732 | 64% |
| Alma College | $20,694 | $27,000 | $54,742 | 63% |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | $9,492 | $22,500 | $59,649 | 58% |
| Northwood University | $27,232 | $20,842 | $63,075 | 63% |
| Lake Superior State University | $12,822 | $23,250 | $49,045 | 51% |
| Wayne State University | $12,766 | $21,250 | $53,493 | 58% |
| Lawrence Technological University | $32,918 | $27,000 | $69,151 | 61% |
| Grand Valley State University | $16,317 | $24,500 | $56,118 | 67% |
| Aquinas College | $16,626 | $23,000 | $49,584 | 65% |
| Oakland University | $9,120 | $22,750 | $58,612 | 58% |
| Cornerstone University | $20,301 | $25,000 | $47,314 | 62% |
| Albion College | $14,301 | $27,000 | $58,799 | 62% |
| Madonna University | $17,755 | $23,000 | $59,058 | 60% |
| Western Michigan University | $15,273 | $26,188 | $53,562 | 58% |
| Central Michigan University | $17,597 | $27,000 | $55,874 | 59% |
| Northern Michigan University | $14,085 | $21,474 | $47,107 | 52% |
| Saginaw Valley State University | $10,775 | $25,000 | $51,955 | 48% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 21
- Alaska 3
- Arizona 9
- Arkansas 18
- California 70
- Colorado 13
- Connecticut 19
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 7
- Florida 39
- Georgia 38
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 48
- Indiana 39
- Iowa 25
- Kansas 21
- Kentucky 25
- Louisiana 18
- Maine 6
- Maryland 18
- Massachusetts 38
- Minnesota 29
- Mississippi 14
- Missouri 38
- Montana 4
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 3
- New Hampshire 10
- New Jersey 23
- New Mexico 4
- New York 82
- North Carolina 42
- North Dakota 8
- Ohio 59
- Oklahoma 20
- Oregon 17
- Pennsylvania 90
- Puerto Rico 12
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 25
- South Dakota 6
- Tennessee 29
- Texas 64
- Utah 8
- Vermont 7
- Virginia 34
- Washington 19
- West Virginia 12
- Wisconsin 27