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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Plains States Region

56 Ranked Colleges
3,456 Degrees Awarded
$18,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Communication & Media Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 10th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 66,787 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,115 and had an average of $25,414 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 3,456 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,709 and $29,348 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 56 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication and media studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and media studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Plains States Region

1
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 106 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UMSL also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - St Louis is $17,257 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Communication & Media Studies Report

2
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Truman State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 44 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Truman State University is $14,302 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Truman State University

3

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school handed out 92 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $17,806 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Iowa State University

4
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #4 spot on the list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 216 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $20,719 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Iowa.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Iowa

5

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 223 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,956 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Mizzou.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Communication & Media Studies Report

6

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,938 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UMN Twin Cities

7
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 62 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k list, UNI has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $18,318 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UNI Communication & Media Studies Report

8

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Maryville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school awarded 62 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $14,894 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Northwest Communication & Media Studies Report

9
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 162 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

KU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $22,804 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Kansas Communication & Media Studies Report

10

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 141 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $18,728 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Minnesota State University - Mankato

11
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 105 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University also took the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,440 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend St. Cloud State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at St. Cloud State University

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UNL is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 47 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k list, UNL has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,553 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UNL.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Communication & Media Studies Report

13
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Winona State is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 77 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State is $18,902 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Winona State University Communication & Media Studies Report

14
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UND is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 104 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UND not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $17,859 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of North Dakota Communication & Media Studies Report

15

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 100 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also took the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,994 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Communication & Media Studies Report

16
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 82 students in 2020-2021.

USD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for USD is $21,009 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at USD

17

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 90 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,107 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UMN Duluth.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UMN Duluth

18
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

With a ranking of #18, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, this medium-sized public school awarded 69 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $16,624 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Southeast Missouri State University

19
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #19. Wayne, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for WSC is $16,450 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wayne State College Communication & Media Studies Report

20
Washburn University crest
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Washburn University is a public institution located in Topeka, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,400 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Washburn University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Washburn University

21
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. South Dakota State University is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $20,393 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full South Dakota State University Communication & Media Studies Report

22

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UMKC is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 74 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $18,700 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UMKC

23
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

With a ranking of #23, University of Central Missouri did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UCM is $16,436 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UCM

24
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Lindenwood University is located in Saint Charles, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Lindenwood University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $19,120 for plains states region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Lindenwood University

25
WSU crest
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #25. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 61 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wichita State University is $17,903 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Wichita State University

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