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2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

24 Ranked Colleges
298 Degrees Awarded
$17,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Communications Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

With 68,079 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, communication and media studies is the 9th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,728 and had an average of $24,931 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 3,723 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,583 and $25,858 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 298 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered a degree in communication and media studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication and media studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree communications students with aid.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 4 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#2

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #2 spot on the list. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Iowa

#16 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 7 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#4

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Saint Cloud State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at St. Cloud State University are $12,904.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Saint Cloud State University

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is located in Fargo, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at North Dakota State University - Main Campus are $11,589.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

#6

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#8 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UNI also took the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNI are $22,648.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNI

#7

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students with aid list, UMSL has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMSL are $30,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UMSL

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 15 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Minnesota State Mankato

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Missouri - Columbia

#10

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCM is a public institution located in Warrensburg, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Missouri are $16,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Central Missouri Communication & Media Studies Report

#11

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Pittsburg State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Pittsburg, Kansas, this medium-sized public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students with aid list, Pitt State has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Pittsburg State University are $19,320.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Pitt State

#12

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 10 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students with aid list, K -State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kansas State University are $24,115, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Kansas State University Communication & Media Studies Report

#13

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#4 in overall quality

University of Kansas ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

KU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kansas are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Kansas

#14

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#11 in overall quality

South Dakota State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

South Dakota State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State University are $16,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at South Dakota State University

#15

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Wichita State University is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 9 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WSU are $15,112.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Wichita State University

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Missouri State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Missouri State

#17

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Saint Charles, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 31 degrees to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students with aid list, Lindenwood University has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Lindenwood University

#18

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#13 in overall quality

University of South Dakota landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, this medium-sized public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students with aid list, USD has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $12,637, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at USD

#19

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Drake is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Drake also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at Drake University are $11,932, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Drake

#20

Drury University

Springfield, Missouri
#17 in overall quality

Drury University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

Drury University also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Drury University are $8,515.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Drury University

#21

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

Webster not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Webster are $13,500, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Webster

#22

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#6 in overall quality

Saint Louis University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 4 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SLU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Saint Louis University Communication & Media Studies Report

#23

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Bethel University Minnesota is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 2 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students with aid list, Bethel University Minnesota has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bethel University Minnesota are $11,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Bethel University Minnesota

#24

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa
#22 in overall quality

University of Dubuque landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UD is a small school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 4 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UD also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Dubuque are $13,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Dubuque

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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