Ready for more bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan? Well, the “Great Lakes State” indexes some of its best HLC-accredited degrees in the middle of the alphabet. The U.S. News & World Report ranked this 96,714-square-mile Midwest state 36th for education with 92 universities. Michigan’s college graduation rate rose to 40.5 percent according to the Lumina Foundation, so baccalaureate study is important to compete for better jobs. Media outlets like the Detroit Free Press, WGTU Channel 29, MLive Group, WUOM 91.7FM, Ann Arbor Business Review, and others welcome communication grads. Livability also highlights Dow Chemical, Fiat Chrysler, Henry Ford Hospital, Amway Corp, and Ferrellgas among the top 50 Michigan employers too. Flex your vocal folds to speak out about current events at these undergraduate communications colleges in Michigan (H-R).
First, see: Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Michigan (A-G)
Also, see our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs.
Hope College
Social Sciences Division
Committed to Psalm 42:5, Hope College is a private, four-year Christian liberal arts MIAA school founded in 1866 by the Reformed Protestant Church that’s endowed for $203 million to inspire 3,224 Flying Dutch at its 125-acre campus on Lake Macatawa. Hope was declared America’s 191st best communications school on Niche, 135th top value in Kiplinger’s, and 116th best-loved college by Forbes. Since 2005, the Social Sciences Division has linked with the 49,000-square-foot Paul G. Fried Center for Global Engagement to confer one of the most multicultural bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan for $33,700 yearly.
Communication Major (B.A.)
Bestowed CSCA “Program of Excellence” status twice, Hope’s Communication Major (B.A.) builds a robust liberal arts foundation to use human speech and written word for our common good. The 42-credit major chaired by Dr. Choonghee Han integrates courses like Intergroup Dialogue, Video Advertising, and Media Theory with a 91 percent experiential learning rate. Undergrads might take the Celtic Term, become Mellon Scholars, intern at Quirk Books, write for The Anchor, join Lambda Pi Eta, broadcast on WTHS 89.9FM, and earn the Ackerman Coles Award.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Martha Miller Center 107
257 Columbia Avenue
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 395-7595
communication@hope.edu
Program Link
Kuyper College
Communication Department
Featured in Young Life Relationships magazine, Kuyper College is a private, vocation-based Christian CIC member opened as Reformed Bible Institute in 1939 that’s endowed for $7.3 million to welcome 261 Cougars with a mean ACT score of 22 to its Grand Rapids location. Kuyper was chosen America’s 53rd most religious college on Niche, 86th best value by WalletHub, and 83rd top community service institution in Washington Monthly. The Communication Department maintains a 15:1 student-professor ratio for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan ranked 786th nationally on College Factual.
Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies
Partnered with Cornerstone University, Kuyper’s Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies currently costs $21,314 each year for undergrads to develop the interpersonal and critical thinking skills for diverse ministries. The 120-credit degree led by Dr. Daniel Kroeze has a Scriptural core of theology before two concentrations: Broadcast Journalism or Strategic Media Communications. Majors may also join PRISM, review Zondervan Library resources, attend the All-Campus Retreat, earn the Founders Scholarship, intern at WSNX 104.5FM, and travel to Brazil.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
• Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
Contact
3333 East Beltline Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 988-3608
academics@kuyper.edu
Program Link
Lake Superior State University
School of Arts & Letters
Releasing the “Banished Words List” since 1976, Lake Superior State University is a public, civic-engaged border WCHA member that’s endowed for $14.1 million to support 2,637 Lakers on its 115-acre Upper Peninsula campus at Fort Brady just minutes from Canada. LSSU was proclaimed America’s 543rd most conservative college on Niche, 117th best baccalaureate institution in Washington Monthly, and 216th best buy by WalletHub. The School of Arts & Letters confers 16 majors, including one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan, that have placed graduates at LSU, Ohio State, BU, Pittsburgh, and more.
Communication: Bachelor of Arts
Directed by Dr. Jason Swedene, LSSU’s Communication: Bachelor of Arts starts with the First-Year Writing Program to train savvy practitioners for conceptualizing smart messages in today’s interconnected professional world. The 124-credit curriculum has “One Rate” tuition of $5,616 each semester for courses like Contemporary Rhetoric, Mass Media, and Drama Productions. Students could also contribute to The Compass, win the Stellanova Osborn Poetry Prize, join Anime Club, pledge Alpha Phi Omega, deejay on 46th Parallel, and study abroad in Brussels.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Arts Building 223
650 West Easterday Avenue
Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783
(906) 635-2122
jswedene@lssu.edu
Program Link
Lawrence Technological University
College of Arts + Sciences
Named a Center of Excellence for Sustainable Infrastructure, Lawrence Technological University is a private, nonsectarian STEAM-centric college established in 1932 that’s gifting $35 million yearly to 4,500 Blue Devils from 50 nations at its 102-acre Highland Park campus. LTU is decreed America’s 252nd best choice on the Social Mobility Index, 111th top research producer in Washington Monthly, and 34th best design school by The Princeton Review. The College of Arts + Sciences accepts the Common Application for $30 until June 30th to start another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan with 69 percent admission.
Bachelor of Arts in English + Communication Arts
Presently billing $1,075 per course, LTU’s Bachelor of Arts in English + Communication Arts seeks to generate factual wisdom by analyzing how audiences interpret literature and media. The 121-credit degree overseen by Dr. Jason Barrett, the 2010 Richard Marburger Faculty Award winner, blends humanities topics from Shakespeare in Production to Technical Editing. Undergrads can publish Prism, join the Artists’ Guild, add the Sports Communication Certificate, intern at WWJ-TV, exchange to Harlaxtion College, and volunteer with Friendship Circle too.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Science Building S225
21000 West Ten Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48075
(248) 204-3520
humchair@ltu.edu
Program Link
Madonna University
College of Arts & Humanities
Publishing The Herald online since 2009, Madonna University is a private, service-minded Catholic WHAC member endowed for $35.8 million to celebrate its 80th year by enlightening 4,500 Crusaders at its 80-acre, LEED-certified Livonia property. Madonna was judged America’s 222nd best campus on Niche, 344th top opportunity by the Social Mobility Index, and 430th best university overall in Washington Monthly. The College of Arts & Humanities grants one of the customizable bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan with 87 percent six-month job placement at Apple, Ford Motor, Waterford School District, Spectrum Health, and more.
Communication Studies B.A.
Drawing “Sapientia Desursum,” Madonna’s Communication Studies B.A. follows Felician core values in studying verbal and non-verbal language for efficient, ethical human interaction. The 36-credit, flexible major headed by Dr. Kathleen Edelmayer currently charges $10,950 per term in four concentrations: Oral Communication, Public Advocacy, Communication Arts for Teachers, or Organizational Communication. Undergrads may also add the Journalism Minor, work in the Center for Humane Studies, serve in Haiti, join Film Club, become NSCS Scholars, and broadcast on Live365.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
36600 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, MI 48150
(734) 432-5560
kedelmayer@madonna.edu
Program Link
Michigan State University
College of Communication Arts and Sciences
Home to the Quello Center for Telecommunication Management, Michigan State University is a top-tier public, sea-grant Morrill Grant AAU member founded in 1855 that’s generating $107.2 million revenue by enrolling 45,166 Spartans from 83 nations at its 660-building Ingham County campus. MSU was ranked America’s 94th most diverse school on The Economist, 61st best university by the CWUR, and 54th best buck in Washington Monthly. The College of Communication Arts and Sciences was placed 80th nationally on Niche for another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan costing $14,460 in-state or $39,405 out-of-state annually.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Coordinated by Dr. Prabu David, MSU’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication has a 17:1 student-professor ratio in the Big Ten Academic Alliance to foster the presentation and persuasion skills for invoking positive societal changes. The 120-credit curriculum offers an optional 4+1 B.A./M.A. pathway with specializations for Mass Media, Organizational Communication, or Interpersonal Communication. Undergrads might also practice in the Media Sandbox, intern at the Robb Company, publish The State News, broadcast on WDBM 88.9FM, study for a semester in China, or join DocFilms Club.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Communication Building 287
404 Wilson Road
East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 355-3410
pdavid@msu.edu
Program Link
Michigan Tech University
School of Humanities
Linked to 45,735 LinkedIn alumni, including writers Roxane Gay and David Edwards, Michigan Tech University is a public, polytechnic GLIAC school founded in 1885 that’s producing $50 million in research expenditures at its 925-acre Copper Country campus with a cutting-edge Digital Media Zone. MTU was applauded for America’s 43rd best professors on Niche, 78th most veteran-friendly environment by the U.S. News & World Report, and 177th top value in Forbes. The School of Humanities has PayScale’s 46th highest annual ROI of 10.1 percent or $625,000 for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan.
Communication, Culture, and Media BA
Admitting freshmen with a median 3.72 GPA, Michigan Tech’s Communication, Culture, and Media BA branches out from liberal arts roots to examine how language across diverse mediums affects social and professional life. The 120-credit degree directed by Dr. Patty Sotirin features three career specializations for Film Studies, Digital Media, or Communication and Advocacy. Huskies could intern at Discovery Channel, declare Pavlis Honors, attend the 41 North Film Festival, consult via CinOptic, add Diversity Minors, edit The Lode, join Amateur Radio Club, and visit Prague.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Walker Center 349
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 487-3264
pjsotiri@mtu.edu
Program Link
Northern Michigan University
Communication and Performance Studies Department
Licensed to broadcast on WUPX 91.5FM from Lee Hall Gallery, Northern Michigan University is the largest public, coed Upper Peninsula laptop college established in 1899 that’s budgeting $110 million to teach 8,001 Wildcats on the 350-acre Marquette campus near Trowbridge Park. NMU was crowned America’s 318th best location on Niche, 113th top pick by the Social Mobility Index, and 206th highest graduation rate in Washington Monthly. Also ranked the 232nd best value on College Factual, the Communication and Performance Studies Department awards one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan with 74 percent retention.
Communication Studies Major
Launched in 1992, NMU’s Communication Studies Major empowers undergrads to use their voice for articulate, well-organized discourse across various channels of civic engagement. The 44-credit Bachelor of Arts major chaired by Dr. James Cantrill presently costs $5,343 in-state or $8,217 out-of-state each semester with electives from Environmental Campaigns to Crisis Communication. Other opportunities include transferring from Delta College, studying in Peru, adding the Theatre Minor, writing for The North Wind, attending the PRSSA Conference, and interning at E&L Global.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Russell Thomas Building 203
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 227-2045
caps@nmu.edu
Program Link
Northwood University
Residential Undergraduate Division
Granted the 2016 HR Leadership Excellence Award, Northwood University is a private, coed business ACBSP member that’s trained 33,000 Timberwolves in 120 countries since its 1959 founding with a $73 million endowment at the 90-acre Saginaw Metro campus. Northwood is declared America’s 212th safest school on Niche, 248th best college by the Social Mobility Index, and 610th top value in The Economist. The Residential Undergraduate Division houses one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan among 21 majors with 94 percent job placement success at Nissan, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, Midland Daily News, Outfront Media, and more.
Marketing Communication BBA
Currently costing $12,385 per 15-week semester, Northwood’s Marketing Communication BBA sharpens students’ creativity for crafting media content that advertises brand products and attracts quality business leads. The 123-credit curriculum organized by Dr. Jiwoo Park mixes courses like Advertising Campaigns, Civic Literacy, Consumer Behavior, and Business Productivity Software. Undergrads may also pursue the Four-Year BBA/MBA Track, take the EXCEL Program, join Marketing Club, engage in Timberwolf Learning Center, and study at Ostfalia University.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Contact
Miner Building 14
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
(989) 837-4883
parkji@northwood.edu
Program Link
Oakland University
College of Arts and Sciences
Gifting $71 million in yearly aid, including the Donald C. Hildum Communication Scholarship, Oakland University is a public, doctoral Horizon League member opened in 1957 that’s serving 15,901 Grizzlies in 140 majors at its 1,443-acre Metro Detroit campus with 109,502 square feet for research. OU was lauded America’s 284th top public school on Niche, 157th best faculty in Washington Monthly, and 213th best opportunity by the Social Mobility Index. The College of Arts and Sciences utilizes the New Media Lab to teach one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan with 86 percent admission and a $47,000 average salary.
Communication, B.A.
Offering an optional Linguistics Concentration, Oakland’s Communication B.A. directed by Dr. Valerie Palmer-Mehta encourages undergrads to influence our globalized society in public-facing media endeavors. The 40-credit major presently costs $479 in-state or $853 out-of-state per credit for engaging courses like Argumentation, Interpersonal Conflict, Media Criticism, and Cultural Studies. Students may also intern at Anchor Bay Entertainment, write for The Oakland Post, join Video Club, pledge Lambda Pi Eta, compete on the Speech Team, and attend Career Exploration Camp.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Wilson Hall 316
371 Wilson Blvd.
Rochester, MI 48309
(248) 370-4120
vpalmer@oakland.edu
Program Link
Olivet College
Arts & Humanities Department
Hosting the 2018 ACE Women’s Network Conference, Olivet College is a private, Protestant liberal arts NACCC member founded by Rev. John Shipherd for the United Church of Christ that’s now endowed for $15 million to enlighten 1,040 Comets at its 56-acre Eaton County campus. Olivet is designated America’s 592nd hardest college on Niche, 94th best baccalaureate school in Washington Monthly, and 708th top value by Money magazine. The Arts & Humanities Department run by Dr. Ramona Kime confers another of the faith-based bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan for $13,374 per term.
Journalism and Mass Communication Major
Maintaining a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, Olivet’s Journalism and Mass Communication Major transforms B.A. undergrads into eloquent wordsmiths capable of ethically sharing truths in church or secular settings. The 48-credit major encourages up to 15 internship credits between courses like Publication Design, Photoshop, Basic Reporting, and Principles of Marketing. Majors may also edit The Echo, broadcast on WOCR Radio, practice in the Convergent Media Center, attend the President’s Leadership Institute, dual major in Visual Arts, venture to Iceland, and join Washington Gladden Society.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
320 South Main Street
Olivet, MI 49076
(269) 749-7692
rkime@olivetcollege.edu
Program Link
Rochester College
School of Business and Professional Studies
Given the 2011 USCAA Garth Pleasant Award, Rochester College is a private, four-year Congregationalist Christian liberal arts school that’s welcoming 1,172 Warriors from 19 states into 43 majors at its 16-building Lake Norcentra campus in Oakland County or online. RC was congratulated for America’s 159th best college dorms on Niche, 98th best financial aid in Washington Monthly, and 403rd top value by The Economist. The School of Business and Professional Studies was placed 234th nationally on College Factual for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan billing $21,750 yearly with free Macbook Pros.
BS in Mass Communication
Chaired by Dr. Carol Cooper, Rochester’s BS in Mass Communication works with the Specs Howard School of Media Art to introduce undergrads to the in-demand publishing industry in traditional 15-week or accelerated online eight-week formats. The 33-credit major branches into five specializations for Journalism, Public Relations, Digital Media, Broadcasting, or Graphic Design. Students could edit The Shield, intern with Hope House Detroit, deejay on WJLB 97.9FM, access Ham Library journals, serve in Rwanda, join the Improv Players, and earn the Children of Minister’s Discount too.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
800 West Avon Road
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
(248) 218-2033
ccooper@rc.edu
Program Link
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Michigan has 57,840 media jobs where median compensation is $51,100, or $24.57 per hour. Among the top-paying titles are art directors at $82,660, commercial designers at $75,440, broadcast news analysts at $140,140, and public relations managers at $115,880. If you’re banking on a profitable press career, continue reviewing our bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan here: Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Michigan (S-Z)