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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Journalism (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

60 Ranked Colleges
6,903 Degrees Awarded
$12,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 60 colleges that offered a degree in communication and journalism. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication and journalism programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication and journalism program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Journalism (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school awarded 425 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,609 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 726 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, Mizzou has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,386 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Mizzou

3
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 115 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

UMSL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $8,324 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMSL.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Communication & Journalism Report

4

Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 283 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $11,427 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Iowa State

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 108 students 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 $8,697 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

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 UMN Duluth

6

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 418 students in 2020-2021.

UNL also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $13,453 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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 UNL

7
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

With a ranking of #7, Truman State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kirksville, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Truman State University is $8,898 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Truman State University

8

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. 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 & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $12,263 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 & Journalism at Minnesota State University - Mankato

9
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school awarded 386 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, Iowa has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $15,508 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Iowa

10
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #10, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and 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 $30-$48k 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 $16,288 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

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

Saint Cloud State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 108 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,825 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Saint Cloud State University

12
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 162 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,175 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNI.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at UNI

13

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. 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.

UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $11,294 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Communication & Journalism Report

14

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Maryville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 64 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,608 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwest Missouri State University.

Full Northwest Communication & Journalism Report

15
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UND is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 109 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UND also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $13,151 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at UND

16

With a ranking of #16, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 42 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University also took the #18 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $12,735 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 North Dakota State University Communication & Journalism Report

17
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

With a ranking of #17, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 77 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State is $12,963 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 more about Communication & Journalism at Winona State University

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

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 138 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $11,406 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Communication & Journalism Report

19
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Peter, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,445 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Gustavus Adolphus College Communication & Journalism Report

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 $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 189 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,144 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Missouri State.

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 more about Communication & Journalism at Missouri State University - Springfield

21
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wayne State College is located in Wayne, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for WSC is $11,672 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at WSC

22
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. K -State is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 122 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $14,653 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at K -State

23

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 74 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,751 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMKC.

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 more about Communication & Journalism at UMKC

24
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of South Dakota is a public institution located in Vermillion, South Dakota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 82 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,294 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USD.

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 full report on Communication & Journalism at USD

25
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Charles, Missouri, and it awarded 65 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $13,008 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 Lindenwood University Communication & Journalism Report

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