19
Ranked Colleges
564
Degrees Awarded
$13,300
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 10,266 people earned their degree in communication and media studies, making the major the 82nd most popular in the United States.
Across the Plains States region, there were 564 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 19 colleges that offer a degree in communication and media studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication and media studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication and 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
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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.
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 13 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 & Media Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UMSL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMSL, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $9,991 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 UMSL Communication & Media Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 42 degrees to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region media studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,692 for plains states region media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 & Media Studies at Minnesota State University - Mankato
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Saint Cloud State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.
St. Cloud State University also took the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $10,348 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at St. Cloud State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Winona State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 60 degrees to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.
Winona State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winona State is $11,721 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Winona State Communication & Media Studies Report
Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 18 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region media studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Missouri State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,381 for plains states region media studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Missouri State University - Springfield
With a ranking of #7, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USD is a public institution located in Vermillion, South Dakota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USD, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Dakota is $15,495 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 USD Communication & Media Studies Report
South Dakota State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This fairly large school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 9 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,171 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Dakota State.
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 Communication & Media Studies Report
Wayne State College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wayne State College is a small public school situated in Wayne, Nebraska. It awarded 9 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.
WSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wayne State College is $10,608 for plains states region media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Wayne State College Communication & Media Studies Report
Washburn University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Washburn University is located in Topeka, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.
Washburn University also took the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Washburn University is $11,258 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Washburn University Communication & Media Studies Report
Lindenwood University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Charles, Missouri. It awarded 22 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Lindenwood University also took the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $12,948 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Lindenwood University Communication & Media Studies Report
Loras College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dubuque, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.
Loras did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Loras is $17,261 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Loras College Communication & Media Studies Report
Webster University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Webster University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.
Webster 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 estimated yearly cost for Webster is $18,047 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Full Webster University Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #14, Wartburg College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wartburg College is a small school located in Waverly, Iowa that handed out 17 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Wartburg also took the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,368 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wartburg.
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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Wartburg
Bemidji State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 12 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Bemidji State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $10,178 for plains states region media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Bemidji State University
With a ranking of #16, University of Sioux Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region media studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Sioux Falls has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,442 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Sioux Falls.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Sioux Falls
Concordia University, Saint Paul landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Concordia University, Saint Paul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,421 for plains states region media studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Concordia University, Saint Paul Communication & Media Studies Report
Black Hills State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. BHSU is a small public school situated in Spearfish, South Dakota. It awarded 21 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region media studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, BHSU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,108 for plains states region media studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Black Hills State University.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Black Hills State University
Culver - Stockton College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Culver - Stockton is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Canton, Missouri. It awarded 6 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Culver - Stockton, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,908 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Culver - Stockton College.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Culver - Stockton
Focus on a Specific Degree Level
Switch to a More General Major
Switch to a Similar Major
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
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
- *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.
Credits
college factual
,_Helsinki_Finland_(11643271925).jpg){kind=link}