Let’s begin touring the “Mitten State” with 14 HLC-accredited schools where bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan are handy. Home to 9.92 million Great Lakers, Michigan is named the United States’ 28th best business state with the 11th best economic climate on Forbes. News Generation lists three Michigan media markets among its top 100: Detroit, Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, and Flint-Saginaw-Bay City.
Communications majors can find their voice at diverse Michigan outlets, such as The Oakland Press, Adell Broadcasting Corporation, WOTV Channel 4, Women’s Lifestyle, WRIF 101.1FM, and Synectics Media. Business communicators can also excel in corporate Michigan, including 17 Fortune 500 organizations like Dow Chemical, Ally Financial, Borg Warner, Kellogg, and Kelly Services. Whatever one’s goals for sharpening linguistic and written skills may be, this first installment of undergraduate communications colleges in Michigan (A-G) can help.
See our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs.
Adrian College
Communication Arts & Sciences Department
Publishing The College World since 1885, Adrian College is a private, Wesleyan Methodist baccalaureate school that’s endowed for $55 million to educate 1,654 Bulldogs in 40+ majors at the 100-acre Lenawee County campus north of Toledo. Adrian was crowned America’s 70th top undergrad institution in Washington Monthly, the Midwest’s 18th best value on the U.S. News & World Report, and Michigan’s eighth-best Greek life school by Niche. The Communication Arts & Sciences Department has one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan with 94 percent job placement at DaimlerChrysler, Fox 17, Clear Channel Radio, and more.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts & Sciences
Chaired by Dr. Christy Mesaros-Winckles, Adrian’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts & Sciences nurtures undergrads’ spirit of inquiry for learning how language works best. Offering an Associate of Arts transfer pathway, the 42-credit major currently costs $35,060 yearly for full-time courses like Radio Announcing, Digital Media Production, PR Performance, and Intercultural Affairs. Students may also engage in the Romney Institute, broadcast on WVAC 107.9FM, add the Teacher Certification, join Lambda Pi Eta, and enter the Creativity Award Contest.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
110 S. Madison Street
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 265-5161 ext. 3921
cmesaros_winckles@adrian.edu
Albion College
Communication Studies Department
Home to the Water Wonderland’s oldest Phi Beta Kappa Chapter, Albion College is a private, nonprofit Methodist GLCA member that’s endowed for $185 million to employ 87 tenured faculty who teach 1,500 Britons at the 90-acre Battle Creek Area campus. Albion is deemed America’s 84th best free application college on Niche, 149th best-loved institution in Forbes, and 31st top merit aid school by Money magazine. The Communication Studies Department offers a close-knit, Christ-centered setting for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan with 82 percent freshman retention.
Communication Studies, B.A.
Presently priced at $45,070 for annual tuition, Albion’s Communication Studies B.A. refines students’ relationship-building skills by examining how people utilize signs and symbols. The 9-unit major directed by Dr. Andy Boyan adds onto core courses from Public Speaking to Organizational Culture with an optional Professional Communication and Production Emphasis. Undergrads might also intern at Kandoo Films, take the New York Arts Program, visit Paris, earn the Bernard T. Lomas Scholarship, write for The Pleiad, and join the American Marketing Association.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Olin Hall 213E
611 E. Porter Street
Albion, MI 49224
(517) 629-0352
aboyan@albion.edu
Alma College
Department of Communication
Surrounding McIntyre Mall with a 27-building Gratiot County campus near Pine River Park, Alma College is a private, Presbyterian liberal arts CIC member that’s endowed for $109.9 million to enroll 1,378 Scots every 14-week semester. Featured in the Princeton Review’s “Colleges That Create Futures,” Alma was judged America’s 122th top Christian college on Niche, 354th best private university in Forbes, and 264th best institution by Times Higher Education. The Department of Communication has selective 68 percent admission for a median 3.5 GPA in another of the religious bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan.
Communication Major
Maintaining a 12:1 student-professor ratio, Alma’s Communication Major led by Dr. Janie Diels analyzes how media shapes our perception of others, ourselves, and our world. The 136-credit Bachelor of Arts bills $39,999 yearly for courses like Public Advocacy, Argumentation, Sports Communication, and Strategic Marketing. Students could spend Spring Term in Ecuador, intern via The Washington Center, deejay on WQAC 90.9FM, earn the Kapp Prize, film with Short Stack, join the Barrister Society, become Posey Global Leadership Fellows, and add the French Minor too.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Swanson Center 350
614 W. Superior Street
Alma, MI 48801
(989) 463-7028
diels@alma.edu
Andrews University
Visual Art, Communication & Design Department
Housing the Mary Jane Mitchell Multimedia Center, Andrews University is a flagship private, Adventist liberal arts CIC member founded in 1874 that’s endowed for $26.3 million to support 3,348 Cardinals with 254 faculty at its 2,400-acre campus on the St. Joseph River. Andrews was chosen America’s most diverse college on the U.S. News & World Report, 157th best faculty in Washington Monthly, and 349th top research institution by Forbes. The Visual Arts, Communication & Design Department was placed 159th nationally on Niche with bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan costing $27,456 annually.
Communication BA
Accepting $30 applications until July 15th or November 15th, Andrews’ Communication BA motivates undergrads to shape and share well-sourced information across varying mediums. The 46-credit, portfolio-based major overseen by Dr. Steven Hansen builds on core courses like Intro to Filmmaking with two concentrations: Communication Studies or Public Relations. Majors might also publish Envision magazine, join the PRSSA Chapter, intern at Whirpool Corp., continue for the Master of Arts, venture abroad from Taiwan to Italy, and enter the Leadership Program.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Nethery Hall 224
4150 Administration Drive
Berrien Springs MI 49104
(269) 471-6314
visartndes@andrews.edu
Aquinas College
Social Sciences & Education Division
Founded as Novitiate Normal School in 1886, Aquinas College is a private, civic-engaged Catholic WHAC member that’s endowed for $43.6 million to inspire 1,634 full-time Saints across 61 majors at the 117-acre arboreal campus in President Gerald Ford’s hometown. Aquinas, a Five-Star Champion of Character, is ranked America’s 218th safest college on Niche, 86th top value by WalletHub, and 346th best research institution in Washington Monthly. For $983 per credit, the Social Sciences & Education Division grants one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan devoted to the four Dominican Pillars.
Communication Major
Reporting a median mid-career salary of $72,900 on PayScale, Aquinas’ Communication Major fosters an appreciation of how humans interact in diverse contexts for wide-ranging media careers. The 38-credit major advised by Dr. Penny Avery utilizes Communication Lab resources to teach courses from Voice and Diction to Sound Management with an optional Theatre Emphasis. Undergrads can also join the Thespian Society, work in Grace Hauenstein Library, study away in Japan, receive the Mohler-Thompson Grant, and attend the Contemporary Writers Series.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Academic Building 4C
1700 Fulton Street E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 632-2060
averypen@aquinas.edu
Calvin College
Communication Arts & Sciences Department
Enrolling 3,918 Knights at 84 percent retention, Calvin College is a private, nonprofit Christian Reformed IAPCHE member established in 1876 that’s endowed for $123 million with a 166-acre Grand Rapids campus designed around the Commons Lawn by William Beye Fyfe. Calvin is deemed America’s 220th top university on Forbes, fourth most stone-cold sober school by The Princeton Review, and 76th best liberal arts college in Washington Monthly. For $34,600 yearly, the Communication Arts & Sciences Department presents one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan ranked 135th nationally by Niche.
Communication Arts & Sciences B.A.
Coordinated by Dr. Kathi Groenendyk, Calvin’s Communication Arts & Sciences B.A. gives wise, passionate Christians the liberal arts tools to inform society for cultural betterment. The 33-40 credit major utilizes cutting-edge facilities like Gezon Auditorium in six tracks: Film & Media Production, Strategic Communication, Rhetoric, Digital Communication, Organizational Communication, and Language Arts Elementary Education. Students may also intern at ADAPT Theatre Company, enter the 60-Second Film Contest, publish Dialogue, join Calvin Chimes, semester in Hungary, and earn the David Holquist Scholarship.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
DeVos Center 250A
1810 E. Beltline Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 526-6317
kgroenen@calvin.edu
Central Michigan University
College of Communication and Fine Arts
Linked to 139,598 LinkedIn alumni, including media greats Dick Enberg, Jeff Daniels, Lorrie Lynch, and John Grogan, Central Michigan University is a public, land-grant AASCU branch founded in 1892 that’s endowed for $130 million on a 480-acre Lower Peninsula campus. CMU was placed America’s 43rd top value by WalletHub, 97th best choice on the Social Mobility Index, and 196th best university in Washington Monthly. Running WMHW 91.5FM, the College of Communication and Fine Arts has the nation’s largest university-based broadcasting network for the 160th best communications degrees according to College Factual.
Communication Major (B.A./B.S.)
Currently costing $12,510 in-state or $23,670 out-of-state per year, the Communication Major (B.A./B.S.) at Central Michigan trains proficient speakers and writers for productive professional lives. The 40-credit major chaired by Dr. William Dailey blends courses like Introduction to Debate and Gender Communication with an optional Integrative Public Relations Emphasis. Other opportunities include joining Nu Sigma, attending the MUG Communication Conference, interning at General Motors, practicing in the Presentation Skills Center, and performing with University Theatre.
Communication Disorders Major (B.S.)
Adhering to ASHA standards, CMU’s Communication Disorders Major (B.S.) stands out from bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan for pre-professional training focused on the science of language and hearing difficulties. The 40-credit major organized by Dr. Mark Lehman mixes courses like Acoustic Phonetics and Audiologic Rehabilitation with practice in the Speech & Hearing Clinic. Undergrads could also intern at McLaren Central Hospital, join the NSSLHA Chapter, earn the Margaret E. Sanford Marquardt Scholarship, and continue for the M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Moore Hall 129
1200 S. Franklin Street
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
(989) 774-1885
ccfa@cmich.edu
Concordia University-Ann Arbor
Haab School of Business
Home to The Kreft Center for the Arts, Concordia University-Ann Arbor is a private, Lutheran liberal arts NAIA member with $25 million annual revenue that’s training 1,081 Cardinals in 70+ Bible-based programs from its 76-hectare campus at Earhart Estate. CUAA was proclaimed America’s 197th best college dorms on Niche, 30th best value by WalletHub, and 185th top baccalaureate institution in Washington Monthly. Headed by Dr. Joey Bialkowski, the Haab School of Business has 50 years of experience granting two bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan with a 11:1 student-professor ratio.
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
For $14,165 per semester, the Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication at Concordia Ann Arbor investigates how different media sources shape our behavior, opinions, and culture. The 42-credit major utilizes a Christian worldview for courses from Film History to Sports Journalism and Animation with an optional Digital Video Production Specialization. Undergrads could write for Arbor Light magazine, intern at Boxcar Studio, perform at Boar’s Head Festival, take the Holy Land trip, join Spanish Club, continue for the Public Relations MBA, and declare Honors too.
Bachelor of Science in Business Communication
Selectively admitting 60 percent of entrants with GPAs over 2.5, CUAA’s Bachelor of Science in Business Communication centers on the professional storytelling skills to craft sound consumer messaging. The 30-credit major integrates in-person Ann Arbor courses like Group Dynamics, Interviewing Principles, Social Media, and Business Writing. Students might also become JPP Scholars, intern at PNC Bank, join the Haab Business Club, innovate CU Launch projects, study abroad in Australia, and earn the $20,000 Luther Scholar Guarantee Scholarship.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
4090 Geddes Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734) 995-7379
joey.bialkowski@cuw.edu
Cornerstone University
Communication & Media Division
Bestowed eight Michigan Press Association Awards in 2013, Cornerstone University is a private, evangelical Christian CCCU member that’s endowed for $56 million to educate 1,250 Golden Eagles in 60+ majors with the “Civitas” Core. Cornerstone is crowned America’s 86th best buy by WalletHub, 117th best religious college on Niche, and 198th top financial aid provider in The Student Loan Report. The Communication & Media Division presents two bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan with a 100 percent internship rate in organizations like KWES-TV, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Townsquare Media, and Ford Motor.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Chaired by Dr. Desiree Duff, Cornerstone’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication holds a 17:1 student-faculty ratio to engage undergrads in aural, oral, and visual study on how people express knowledge. The 120-credit, residential curriculum integrates two years of foreign language study into two tracks: Broadcast Communication or Strategic Communication. Majors might also edit The Herald, attend the Breathe Christian Writers Conference, enter the Honors Institute, take the Israel Study Tour, explore Miller Library, and minor in Linguistics.
Bachelor of Arts in Health Communication
Near Spectrum Health’s top-ranked Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center, the Bachelor of Arts in Health Communication at Cornerstone equips students with the medical terminology to convey wellness promotion strategies that avert disease. The 120-credit, four-year degree presently bills $26,490 full-time for classes like Human Biology, Global Health, Public Speaking, and New Testament Literature. Other opportunities include volunteering via the Center for Life Calling, pursuing the Health Care MBA, earning the Partners for Success Award, and joining Cure U.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
1001 E. Beltline Avenue
NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 949-5300
desiree.duff@cornerstone.edu
Eastern Michigan University
School of Visual & Built Environments
Boasting 40+ State Forensics Team Championships, Eastern Michigan University is a public, coed MAC member publishing The Eastern Echo that’s budgeting $322 million to grant 234,850 credits per semester to 21,105 Eagles on its 122-building Ypsilanti campus. EMU was designated America’s 142nd best athletics college on Niche, 285th best university in Washington Monthly, and 108th top ROI school by PayScale. The School of Visual & Built Environments offers funds like the Mary Cullen Scholarship for one of the most tech-savvy bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan with an average net price of $14,268.
Communication Technology BS
Retaining 74.6 percent of first-year Eagles, EMU’s Communication Technology BS teaches media designers about digital networking systems to construct 21st-century messages with viral effects. The 65-credit, interdisciplinary major led by Dr. Suleiman Ashur builds on core courses like Electronic Media with options for Graphic Applications, Computer Programming, or Information Management. Undergrads could also practice in the Adobe Photoshop Lab, broadcast on Channel 18, study abroad in Rome, add the Film Studies minor, and attend the Digital Divas Conference.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
202K Roosevelt Hall
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-2490
sashur@emich.edu
Finlandia University
Suomi College of Arts & Sciences
Overlooking Lake Superior with a 24-acre Keweenaw Peninsula in Hancock, Finlandia University is a private, nonprofit Lutheran school established in 1896 by J.K. Nikander that’s attracting 667 Lions from 25 states with a 98 percent financial aid rate. Finlandia was judged America’s 188th best baccalaureate college in Washington Monthly, the Midwest’s 62nd top school on the U.S. News & World Report, and Michigan’s 41st best pick by PayScale. The Suomi College of Arts & Sciences is a Yes We Must Coalition member with another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan ranked 261st nationally on College Factual.
Bachelor’s in Communication
Charging $22,258 per year full-time, the Bachelor’s in Communication at Finlandia studies how diverse audiences derive meaning from oral, written, and aural information for mediated media responsibility. The 49-credit major organized by Dr. Jason Oyadomari ends with a senior capstone after four concentrations: Journalism, Environmental Communication, Marketing, and Visual Communication Design. Students can also become Paloheimo Fellows, exchange to JAMK University, attend Festival Ruska, join the NCA Chapter, intern at The Mining Gazette, and pledge Alpha Lambda Delta.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Wargelin Hall 205
601 Quincy Street
Hancock, MI 49930
(906) 487-7381
jason.oyadomari@finlandia.edu
Grace Bible College
Undergraduate Division
Opened by Charles Baker at Fundamental Bible Church in 1945, Grace Bible College is a private, faith-focused GGF member that’s endowed for $400,000 to employ 28 staff and enroll 900 Tigers at its 23-acre “West Coast” campus on the Grand River. Grace was deemed America’s 172nd best free application school on Niche, 155th top baccalaureate buck in Washington Monthly, and 22nd best choice by Christian Universities Online. The Undergraduate Division confers 13 majors, including one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan, with cohorts of 10-16 for maximum mentoring.
Global Communication B.S. Concentration
Mandating a minimum 20 ACT/940 SAT score, Grace’s Global Communication B.S. Concentration is added to the Biblical Studies, Human Services, or Business Majors to foster students’ cross-cultural interpersonal skills. The 15-credit option directed by Dr. Matthew Loverin involves courses like Conflict Management, Teamwork, and Human Interaction costing $655 per credit now. Undergrads may also spend 12 weeks in Belize, intern at Axios Media, use the Michigan Transfer Agreement, become ACT Group leaders, and receive the Awana Achievers Scholarship.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
• Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
Contact
1011 Aldon Street SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
(616) 261-8566
mhloverin@gbcol.edu
Grand Valley State University
School of Communications
Located on a 1,322-acre “Bicycle Friendly” campus off Highway 31 in Allendale with Mary Idema Pew Library, Grand Valley State University is a public, regional branch and top Fulbright Scholar producer that’s endowed for $118 million to serve 21,913 Lakers. GVSU was picked America’s 323rd best college location on Niche, 161st top university by the Social Mobility Index, and 99th best value in Washington Monthly. Printing The Lanthorn, the School of Communications has nearly 70 faculty teaching 1,100 majors in two bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan that currently bill $11,994 in-state or $17,064 out-of-state yearly.
Bachelor of Arts or Science in Communication Studies
Headed by Dr. Corey Anton, the Bachelor of Arts or Science in Communication Studies lets GVSU undergrads self-design a curriculum that focuses on persuading audiences with clear, decisive messages. The 33-credit major with 83 percent freshman retention customizes electives in Broadcasting, Theatre, Photography, Film & Video Production, Advertising & Public Relations, or Health Communications. Students could join the Rhetoric Society of America, intern with PBS, deejay on WCKS the Whale, practice in the Speech Lab, and attend the Leadership Summit too.
Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Authorized in February 2018, GVSU’s new Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders will train allied health practitioners on the basics of speech-language pathology for graduate school admission. The 61-credit major mandates 3.0 GPAs through all courses like Hearing Science, Phonetics, Pediatric Language, and Dysphagia to the clinical capstone. Other opportunities include investigating in the Neurogenic CD Lab, joining the NSSLHA Chapter, interning at Metro Health Allendale, engaging in Community Outreach Week, and serving abroad in Chile.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Lake Superior Hall 210
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401
(616) 331-3321
antonc@gvsu.edu
Great Lakes Christian College
Academics Department
Affiliated with the Churches of Christ since its 1949 founding, Great Lakes Christian College is a private, nonprofit dual-accredited Congregationalist school that’s serving 150 Crusaders at a 13:1 student-faculty ratio either online or atop the 47-acre Delta Township campus of Eaton County. Though unranked on the U.S. News & World Report, GLCC is graded “B-” for diversity on Niche, recognized for America’s 169th best college town on WalletHub, and placed 276th for public relations by College Factual. The Academics Department overseen by Prof. Mike Harrison confers one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan for $525 per credit presently.
Interpersonal and Organizational Communications Major
Boasting 100 percent acceptance, GLCC’s Interpersonal and Organizational Communications Major awards a Bachelor of Science rooted in Biblical values for analyzing the ethical implications of media messaging methods. The 32-credit major builds upon the theology core to train servant-leaders with courses like Conflict Resolution, Sociology, Restoration History, and Communication in Change. Undergrads might also minor in Youth Ministry, join the Spring Arbor Cooperative Program, intern at WLNS-TV, venture abroad to Egypt, and publish The Key.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
• Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
Contact
6211 W. Willow Highway
Lansing, MI 48917
(517) 321-0242 ext. 235
mharrison@glcc.edu
Research published in the International Journal of Listening discovered that 70 percent of our day is spent communicating. On average, working adults hear 30,000 words and utter 13,500 words daily. Employers in every field from advertising to book publishing and teaching need skilled communicators to build cohesive, productive teams. We’ve only just started our trek across the “Wolverine State,” so continue for more bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan that can turn shyness into strategic speaking:
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Michigan (H-R)
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Michigan (S-Z)