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2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

60 Ranked Colleges
6,903 Degrees Awarded
$11,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 120,571 people earned their degree in communication and journalism, making the major the 11th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, communication and journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,266 and had an average of $24,758 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 6,903 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,107 and $28,529 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 60 colleges that offered a degree in communication and journalism. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication and journalism 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 journalism program at the school. 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 Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Journalism (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 425 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 726 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,005 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of Missouri - Columbia

3

Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 418 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNL is $11,672 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, 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 85%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at UNL

4

Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 283 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $9,766 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Iowa State Communication & Journalism Report

5
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 386 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $13,554 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Iowa

6
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 115 students in 2020-2021.

UMSL also took the #23 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $9,991 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 & Journalism at UMSL

7

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 108 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,843 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - 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%.

Full UMN Duluth Communication & Journalism Report

8
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Truman State University is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Truman State University is $7,208 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Truman State Communication & Journalism Report

9
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 459 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, KU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for KU is $15,666 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at KU

10
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 162 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $10,513 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 86%.

Full UNI Communication & Journalism Report

11

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 141 students in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,692 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Communication & Journalism Report

12

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $10,578 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Nebraska at Omaha

13
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St. Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 108 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $10,348 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 & Journalism at St. Cloud State University

14

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. North Dakota State University is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,835 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Dakota State University.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

15
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 77 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

Winona State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $11,721 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 & Journalism Report

16
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #16, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 109 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UND also took the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,394 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UND.

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 UND Communication & Journalism Report

17

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Maryville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school awarded 64 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $9,906 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northwest Communication & Journalism Report

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

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 138 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $10,359 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Southeast Missouri State University

19
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USD is a medium-sized school located in Vermillion, South Dakota that handed out 82 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USD, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USD is $15,495 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at USD

20

With a ranking of #20, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 189 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,381 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Missouri State

21
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 122 students in 2020-2021.

K -State also took the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $13,436 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on Communication & Journalism at K -State

22
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Wayne, Nebraska, this small public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WSC is $10,608 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 & Journalism at WSC

23
Washburn University crest
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas

With a ranking of #23, Washburn University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Washburn University is a public institution located in Topeka, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Washburn University is $11,258 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Washburn University

24

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 74 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $12,724 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Missouri - Kansas City

25
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 72 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State University is $14,171 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at South Dakota State

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