2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region
57
Ranked Colleges
3,456
Degrees Awarded
$17,400
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 66,787 communication and media studies students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,115 and had an average of $25,414 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 3,456 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,709 and $29,348 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 57 colleges that offered a degree in communication and media studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication and media studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 Communications Schools in the Plains States Region” list to help you make the college decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Drake University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region. This small school is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and it awarded 41 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
Drake did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Drake University is $29,903 for plains states region communications students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Drake
Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Dakota landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, this medium-sized public school awarded 82 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
USD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend USD is $19,389 for Plains States Region Communications students.
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 & Media Studies at USD
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend South Dakota State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 38 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State University is $18,578 for plains states region communications 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%.
Full South Dakota State University Communication & Media Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Winona State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 77 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,634 for Plains States Region Communications students per year to attend Winona State.
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 & Media Studies at Winona State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region list. 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 & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,159 for plains states region communications students per year to attend Minnesota State University - 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%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Minnesota State University - Mankato
Wayne State College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Wayne, Nebraska, this small public school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,141 for Plains States Region Communications students per year to attend WSC.
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%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Wayne State College
University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 104 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
UND also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $16,966 for plains states region communications students per year to attend University of North Dakota.
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 & Media Studies at UND
University of Northern Iowa ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region list. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region communications students list, UNI has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,438 for Plains States Region Communications students per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of Northern Iowa Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #9, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region list. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 105 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for plains states region communications students.
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%.
Full Saint Cloud State University Communication & Media Studies Report
Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region communications students list, Missouri State has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - Springfield is $16,718 for Plains States Region Communications students.
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%.
Full Missouri State Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #11, Northwest Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region list. Maryville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Northwest Missouri State University is $12,925 for plains states region communications students.
Full Northwest Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #12, Truman State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 44 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,301 for Plains States Region Communications 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%.
Full Truman State Communication & Media Studies Report
University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 90 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $18,505 for Plains States Region Communications students.
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%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Minnesota - Duluth
Lindenwood University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region list. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 33 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
Lindenwood University also took the #23 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $17,366 for Plains States Region Communications students.
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%.
Full Lindenwood University Communication & Media Studies Report
University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #15. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 162 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $20,257 for Plains States Region Communications students per year to attend University of Kansas.
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%. 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 & Media Studies at KU
Iowa State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region list. Iowa State University is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 92 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $16,002 for plains states region communications 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 & Media Studies at Iowa State
Bellevue University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Bellevue University is $17,288 for Plains States Region Communications students.
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%.
Full Bellevue University Communication & Media Studies Report
Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #18. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri that handed out 69 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for plains states region communications students.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Southeast Missouri State University
With a ranking of #19, Metropolitan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region list. Metro State is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Metropolitan State University is $16,044 for Plains States Region Communications students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Metropolitan State University
Walden University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large private for-profit school awarded 54 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 Walden University Communication & Media Studies Report
University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.
UNL also took the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,013 for plains states region communications students.
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 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%.
Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #22, University of Central Missouri did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large school is located in Warrensburg, Missouri, and it awarded 47 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UCM is $14,058 for plains states region communications students.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Central Missouri
Webster University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Webster is a medium-sized school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 44 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Webster, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Webster is $23,248 for plains states region communications students.
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 & Media Studies at Webster
Washburn University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Topeka, Kansas, this medium-sized public school handed out 53 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Washburn University is $14,339 for plains states region communications students.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Washburn University
Concordia College at Moorhead landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Moorhead, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.
Concordia College Moorhead also took the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia College at Moorhead is $23,189 for Plains States Region Communications students.
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 & Media Studies at Concordia College Moorhead
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