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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

20 Ranked Colleges
555 Degrees Awarded
$14,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Communication & Media Studies is the 74th most popular major in the country with 10,951 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Plains States region, there were 635 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 555 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered a degree in communication and media studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and media studies programs and cost less that 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.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

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 Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

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 Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 20 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s media studies degrees to 40 students in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,057 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#2

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Cloud State University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 58 bachelors’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $10,688 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at St. Cloud State University

#3

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Winona State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s media studies degrees to 50 students in 2019-2020.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $12,381 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State University Communication & Media Studies Report

#4

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UMSL is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 31 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UMSL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,401 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMSL.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Missouri - St Louis

#5

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
#15 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bemidji State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Bemidji State University is a small school located in Bemidji, Minnesota that handed out 12 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bemidji State University has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bemidji State University is $10,632 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Bemidji State University Communication & Media Studies Report

#6

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas
#12 in overall quality

Washburn University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Topeka, Kansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s media studies degrees to 34 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Washburn University has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washburn University is $11,054 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Washburn University

#7

Macalester College

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

Macalester College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Macalester not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,158 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Macalester College.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 Macalester College Communication & Media Studies Report

#9 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Missouri State University - Springfield is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 61 bachelors’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Missouri State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - Springfield is $12,527 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Missouri State

#9

Wayne State College

Wayne, Nebraska
#17 in overall quality

Wayne State College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wayne, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s media studies degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WSC, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wayne State College is $10,333 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full WSC Communication & Media Studies Report

#10

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#10 in overall quality

Lindenwood University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 30 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $14,388 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Lindenwood University

#11

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USD is located in Vermillion, South Dakota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 48 bachelors’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, USD has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Dakota is $14,517 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at USD

#12

Loras College

Dubuque, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

Loras College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Loras College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dubuque, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Loras did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Loras is $16,154 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Loras College

#13

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Concordia University, Saint Paul did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s media studies degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Saint Paul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul is $13,423 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Concordia University, Saint Paul

#14

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

Wartburg College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Waverly, Iowa, and it awarded 13 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wartburg, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,334 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wartburg.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wartburg College Communication & Media Studies Report

#15

Black Hills State University

Spearfish, South Dakota
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Black Hills State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. BHSU is located in Spearfish, South Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 bachelors’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

BHSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Black Hills State University is $14,142 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full BHSU Communication & Media Studies Report

#16

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#11 in overall quality

Webster University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s media studies degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Webster has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,661 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Webster.

The low student loan default rate of 4.9% 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 Webster Communication & Media Studies Report

#17

University of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
#16 in overall quality

University of Sioux Falls did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. University of Sioux Falls is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Sioux Falls did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,706 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Sioux Falls.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Sioux Falls Communication & Media Studies Report

#18

Culver - Stockton College

Canton, Missouri
#19 in overall quality

Culver - Stockton College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Canton, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s media studies students in 2019-2020.

Culver - Stockton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Culver - Stockton College is $17,175 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Culver - Stockton College

#19

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#8 in overall quality

Maryville University of Saint Louis ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Maryville University of Saint Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 bachelors’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

Maryville U also took the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $23,479 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Maryville University of Saint Louis.

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

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Maryville University of Saint Louis

#20

Hannibal - LaGrange University

Hannibal, Missouri
#20 in overall quality

Hannibal - LaGrange University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Hannibal, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s media studies students in 2019-2020.

HLGU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hannibal - LaGrange University is $19,932 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Hannibal - LaGrange University

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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