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2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region

61 Ranked Colleges
6,903 Degrees Awarded
$16,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region

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 Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, we looked at 61 colleges that offer a degree in communication and journalism. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and journalism programs and cost less that 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Journalism Schools

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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” 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region communication & journalism students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Journalism in the Plains States Region

1
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University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Dakota. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, this medium-sized public school handed out 82 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

USD also took the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,389 for plains states region communication & journalism students per year to attend University of South Dakota.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of South Dakota Communication & Journalism Report

2
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South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

Out of the 61 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #2 spot on the list. South Dakota State University is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 72 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State University is $18,578 for plains states region communication & journalism students.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at South Dakota State

3

Out of the 61 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 42 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $16,998 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students.

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%.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Communication & Journalism Report

4
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Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Winona State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region list. Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 77 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Winona State is $17,634 for plains states region communication & journalism students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Winona State

5

Out of the 61 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 141 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $17,159 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Communication & Journalism Report

6
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Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Wayne, Nebraska, this small public school awarded 23 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wayne State College is $14,141 for plains states region communication & journalism students.

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

7
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University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #7. UND is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 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 $16,966 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students.

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 & Journalism Report

8
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University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region list. UNI is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 162 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

UNI also took the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,438 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students per year to attend UNI.

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%. 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 more about Communication & Journalism at UNI

9
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Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region 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.

St. Cloud State University also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $14,581 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students per year to attend St. 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%.

Full St. Cloud State University Communication & Journalism Report

10
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Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 81 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Bellevue University is $17,288 for plains states region communication & journalism students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Bellevue University

11

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Missouri State is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 189 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $16,718 for plains states region communication & journalism students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Missouri State

12

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Northwest is a medium-sized public school situated in Maryville, Missouri. It awarded 64 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $12,925 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Northwest

13
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Truman State is a public institution located in Kirksville, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,301 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students per year to attend Truman State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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 Truman State

14

Iowa State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school handed out 283 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $16,002 for plains states region communication & journalism students.

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 University Communication & Journalism Report

15

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #15. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 418 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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. It costs about $17,013 for plains states region communication & journalism students per year to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

16

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 108 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also took the #25 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $18,505 for plains states region communication & journalism students.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at UMN Duluth

17
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 459 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend KU is $20,257 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national 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.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of Kansas

18

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 93 ’s communication and journalism degrees 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. It costs about $13,914 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students per year to attend UNOMAHA.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%.

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

19
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region 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 $13,568 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Southeast Missouri State University

20
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Charles, Missouri, and it awarded 65 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,366 for plains states region communication & journalism students per year to attend Lindenwood University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Lindenwood University

21

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region list. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 726 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

Mizzou also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,559 for plains states region communication & journalism students.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

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

22
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #22. Metropolitan State University is a public institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,044 for plains states region communication & journalism students per year to attend Metropolitan State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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%.

Full Metro State Communication & Journalism Report

23
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Walden University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region list. Walden University is a large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 54 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Walden University

24

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 425 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region communication & journalism students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Communication & Journalism Report

25
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #25. Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 122 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

K -State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $18,433 for plains states region communication & journalism students per year to attend K -State.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at K -State

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