College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

19 Ranked Colleges
564 Degrees Awarded
$14,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Media Studies Schools 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. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Communication & Media Studies is the 82nd most popular major in the country with 10,266 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Plains States region, there were 564 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 19 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Media Studies Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $8,609 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, 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 93%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Communication & Media Studies Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - St Louis. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

UMSL also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend UMSL is $8,324 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Communication & Media Studies Report

3

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #3 spot on the list. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 42 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k 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 $12,263 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Mankato

4
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Cloud State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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. It costs about $10,825 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St. Cloud State University.

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 more about Communication & Media Studies at St. Cloud State University

5
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

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 $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 60 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Winona State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $12,963 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.

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

6

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools 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 18 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $13,144 for plains states region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Missouri State University - Springfield

7
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wayne, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 9 students 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. It costs about $11,672 for plains states region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wayne State College.

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 Wayne State College Communication & Media Studies Report

8
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Saint Charles, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 22 diplomas to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University also took the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $13,008 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

9
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. South Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 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. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State University is $14,846 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 South Dakota State

10
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. University of South Dakota 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.

USD 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 University of South Dakota is $17,294 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of South Dakota

11
Washburn University crest
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas

With a ranking of #11, Washburn University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Topeka, Kansas, and it awarded 35 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Washburn University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Washburn University is $12,574 for plains states region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Washburn University

12
Loras crest
Loras College
Dubuque, Iowa

Loras College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Loras is $19,374 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Loras College

13
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bemidji State University is a small school located in Bemidji, Minnesota that handed out 12 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Bemidji State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Bemidji State University is $10,377 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Bemidji State University

14
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools 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 34 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Webster has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Webster is $20,039 for plains states region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Webster Communication & Media Studies Report

15

Concordia University, Saint Paul did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Saint Paul also took the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,031 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Concordia University, Saint Paul

16
University of Sioux Falls crest
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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 $30-$48k list. University of Sioux Falls is a small school located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota that handed out 9 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Sioux Falls also took the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Sioux Falls is $18,281 for plains states region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Sioux Falls

17
Wartburg crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, Iowa

Wartburg College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waverly, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wartburg, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wartburg College is $17,063 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 College

18
BHSU crest
Black Hills State University
Spearfish, South Dakota

With a ranking of #18, Black Hills State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Spearfish, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, BHSU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Black Hills State University is $14,928 for Plains States Region Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at BHSU

19

Culver - Stockton College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Canton, Missouri, and it awarded 6 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Culver - Stockton has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Culver - Stockton College is $19,992 for plains states region media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

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