College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

29 Ranked Colleges
1,755 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 22,298 people earned their degree in communication sciences, making the major the 47th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, communication sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $47,173 and had an average of $22,255 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,755 communication sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,837 and $22,401 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 29 colleges that offer a degree in communication sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Communication Sciences Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Communication Sciences Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique 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 Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

1
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. WUSTL is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WUSTL, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,149 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Washington University in St Louis.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Washington University in St Louis Communication Sciences Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 87 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $12,911 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Communication Sciences Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Mizzou has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,715 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Mizzou.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The 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 full report on Communication Sciences at Mizzou

4
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Truman State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Truman State is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

Truman State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Truman State University is $12,654 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Truman State Communication Sciences Report

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 Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 55 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,364 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

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 more about Communication Sciences at UMN Duluth

6
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Minot State University is a public institution located in Minot, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,911 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Minot State University.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Minot State University

7

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 89 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,995 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Minnesota State University - Mankato

8
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #8, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 49 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

UND also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $15,818 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UND.

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%.

Full UND Communication Sciences Report

9

With a ranking of #9, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 129 students in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $15,950 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Read more about Communication Sciences at Missouri State

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 Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 109 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

KU also took the #5 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,586 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Kansas.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at University of Kansas

11
UMary crest
University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

University of Mary came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UMary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 30 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMary also took the #14 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Mary is $16,854 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at University of Mary

12
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 123 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

Iowa also took the #4 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,026 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Iowa

13
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 96 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $15,287 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNI.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 full report on Communication Sciences at University of Northern Iowa

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school handed out 95 degrees to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNL has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNL is $15,394 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, 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 full report on Communication Sciences at UNL

15
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 33 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,140 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k 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 Sciences at Saint Cloud State University

16
WSU crest
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school handed out 57 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

WSU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wichita State University is $14,581 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full WSU Communication Sciences Report

17

Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 61 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU Moorhead also took the #20 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $15,809 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Minnesota State University - Moorhead

18

Fort Hays State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Hays, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 39 degrees to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FHSU is $13,208 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Fort Hays State University

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

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri that handed out 37 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $13,157 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Southeast Missouri State University

20
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Warrensburg, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 42 degrees to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Central Missouri is $14,267 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full University of Central Missouri Communication Sciences Report

21
Rockhurst crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, Missouri

Rockhurst University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 51 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rockhurst, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rockhurst is $16,033 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, 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 Sciences at Rockhurst University

21

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UNK is a medium-sized public school situated in Kearney, Nebraska. It awarded 46 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNK is $16,311 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Read more about Communication Sciences at UNK

23
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USD, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,548 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of South Dakota.

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

Read more about Communication Sciences at University of South Dakota

24
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

With a ranking of #24, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. K -State is a large school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 36 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for K -State is $16,868 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Kansas State University

25
Fontbonne University crest
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #25, Fontbonne University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Fontbonne University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

Fontbonne University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Fontbonne University is $14,517 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Fontbonne University Communication Sciences Report

Switch to a Similar Major

Health Sciences & Services
Best Value Colleges for Health Sciences & Services (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

Dentistry
Best Value Colleges for Dentistry (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

Dental Support Services
Best Value Colleges for Dental Support Services (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services
Best Value Colleges for Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science
Best Value Colleges for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

Medicine
Best Value Colleges for Medicine (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

Mental & Social Health Services
Best Value Colleges for Mental & Social Health Services (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences
Best Value Colleges for Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions
Best Value Colleges for Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services
Best Value Colleges for Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

Alternative Medicine & Systems
Best Value Colleges for Alternative Medicine & Systems (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

Nursing
Best Value Colleges for Nursing (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

Other Health Professions
Best Value Colleges for Other Health Professions (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options