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2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

20 Ranked Colleges
555 Degrees Awarded
$14,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 10,951 people earned their degree in communication and media studies, making the major the 74th most popular in the United States.

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 $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 20 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

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 20 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Macalester College

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Macalester College landed the #1 spot on the list. Macalester is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 9 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Macalester also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Macalester College is $14,047 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive 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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Macalester Communication & Media Studies Report

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 40 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,781 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#3

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - St Louis. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMSL is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMSL also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend UMSL is $6,838 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UMSL

#4

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#5 in overall quality

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 58 degrees to qualified bachelors’s media studies students in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $11,274 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Saint Cloud State University Communication & Media Studies Report

#5

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 #5 on our 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $13,606 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Winona State

#6

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
#15 in overall quality

Bemidji State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bemidji State University, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $11,658 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Bemidji State University

#9 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 61 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - Springfield is $13,488 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Missouri State Communication & Media Studies Report

#8

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas
#12 in overall quality

Washburn University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Washburn University, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washburn University is $12,850 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Washburn University

#9

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#10 in overall quality

Lindenwood University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Charles, 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 30 students in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University also took the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $13,918 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Lindenwood University

#10

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#13 in overall quality

Concordia University, Saint Paul ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Saint Paul not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,288 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul.

Full Concordia University, Saint Paul Communication & Media Studies Report

#11

Wayne State College

Wayne, Nebraska
#17 in overall quality

Wayne State College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wayne State College is a public institution located in Wayne, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, WSC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State College is $11,534 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at WSC

#12

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

Wartburg College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. This small school is located in Waverly, Iowa, and it awarded 13 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 $30-$48k list, Wartburg has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wartburg College is $19,037 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The 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 & Media Studies at Wartburg College

#13

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#6 in overall quality

University of South Dakota ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s media studies degrees to 48 students in 2019-2020.

USD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend USD is $15,866 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 & Media Studies at University of South Dakota

#14

Loras College

Dubuque, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

Loras College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Loras is a small school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 14 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Loras also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Loras College is $17,094 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Loras College Communication & Media Studies Report

#15

Black Hills State University

Spearfish, South Dakota
#18 in overall quality

Black Hills State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. BHSU is a small school located in Spearfish, South Dakota that handed out 23 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

BHSU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Black Hills State University is $14,206 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at BHSU

#16

University of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of Sioux Falls did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s media studies degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Sioux Falls has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,716 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Sioux Falls.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Sioux Falls Communication & Media Studies Report

#17

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#11 in overall quality

Webster University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Webster University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 21 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Webster also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Webster University is $20,081 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 University Communication & Media Studies Report

#18

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#8 in overall quality

Maryville University of Saint Louis ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Maryville U is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 8 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Maryville U also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $21,790 for plains states region bachelor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Maryville University of Saint Louis.

The low 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 Maryville University of Saint Louis

#19

Culver - Stockton College

Canton, Missouri
#19 in overall quality

Culver - Stockton College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Canton, Missouri, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Culver - Stockton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 $18,395 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#20

Hannibal - LaGrange University

Hannibal, Missouri
#20 in overall quality

Hannibal - LaGrange University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Hannibal, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 2 degrees to qualified bachelors’s media studies students in 2019-2020.

HLGU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hannibal - LaGrange University is $18,879 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 more about Communication & Media Studies at HLGU

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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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