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2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

24 Ranked Colleges
298 Degrees Awarded
$17,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Communications Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 68,079 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, communication and media studies is the 9th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,728 and had an average of $24,931 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 3,723 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,583 and $25,858 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 298 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 24 colleges that offer 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 picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. 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 Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

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 Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 4 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#2

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #2 spot on the list. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 10 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNI are $22,648.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Northern Iowa

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Fargo, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at North Dakota State University - Main Campus are $11,589.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at North Dakota State University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Mizzou has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Missouri - Columbia

#5

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Iowa Communication & Media Studies Report

#6

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#14 in overall quality

Saint Cloud State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 11 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Cloud State University are $12,904, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#16 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNOMAHA

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 15 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#9

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#12 in overall quality

Kansas State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at K -State are $24,115, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Kansas State University

#10

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Warrensburg, Missouri, and it awarded 18 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCM, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Missouri are $16,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Central Missouri

#11

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#6 in overall quality

Saint Louis University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

SLU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at SLU are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Saint Louis University Communication & Media Studies Report

#12

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas
#21 in overall quality

Pittsburg State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pitt State is a medium-sized public school situated in Pittsburg, Kansas. It awarded 8 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Pitt State has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Pitt State are $19,320, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Pittsburg State University Communication & Media Studies Report

#13

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s 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 31 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Lindenwood University

#14

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#4 in overall quality

University of Kansas came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kansas are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at KU

With a ranking of #15, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 8 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Missouri State University - Springfield

#16

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UMSL is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMSL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMSL are $30,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#17

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 14 degrees to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State University are $16,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#18

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

With a ranking of #18, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wichita State University is a fairly large public school situated in Wichita, Kansas. It awarded 9 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, WSU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WSU are $15,112.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at WSU

#19

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#13 in overall quality

University of South Dakota landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

USD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $12,637, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at USD

#20

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Webster is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 16 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Webster not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Webster University are $13,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Webster Communication & Media Studies Report

#21

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Drake University is located in Des Moines, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Drake also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Drake are $11,932.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Drake University

#22

Drury University

Springfield, Missouri
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Drury University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 9 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drury University, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Drury University are $8,515, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Drury University

#23

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Bethel University Minnesota did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Bethel University Minnesota are $11,700.

Full Bethel University Minnesota Communication & Media Studies Report

#24

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa
#22 in overall quality

University of Dubuque landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UD is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dubuque, Iowa. It awarded 4 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UD has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Dubuque are $13,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UD Communication & Media Studies Report

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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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