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2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

56 Ranked Colleges
3,456 Degrees Awarded
$11,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Communication & Media Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 10th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 66,787 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,115 and had an average of $25,414 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 3,456 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,709 and $29,348 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 56 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The communications school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) 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 Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for Plains States Region Communications 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%.

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

2

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 223 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,005 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Mizzou

3

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Missouri - St Louis is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMSL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $9,991 for plains states region communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMSL.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UMSL

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 90 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also took the #21 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $7,843 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Minnesota - Duluth

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Iowa State University is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 92 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $9,766 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Iowa State

6
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 216 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $13,554 for plains states region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

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

7
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Kirksville, Missouri, this small public school awarded 44 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,208 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Truman State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Truman State University Communication & Media Studies Report

8

University of Northern Iowa ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 62 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI 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 UNI is $10,513 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNI

9

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 141 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,692 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Minnesota State University - Mankato

10

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school handed out 47 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNL has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,672 for plains states region communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNL.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

11
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 162 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

KU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $15,666 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Kansas

12
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 105 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

St. Cloud State University also took the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $10,348 for plains states region communications 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Saint Cloud State University

13
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

With a ranking of #13, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 77 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State is $11,721 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full Winona State University Communication & Media Studies Report

14
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UND is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 104 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UND has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $12,394 for plains states region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full UND Communication & Media Studies Report

15

With a ranking of #15, Northwest Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 62 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $9,906 for plains states region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northwest Communication & Media Studies Report

16
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri that handed out 69 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $10,359 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Communication & Media Studies Report

17

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 100 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,381 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

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 Missouri State University - Springfield Communication & Media Studies Report

18
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. This medium-sized school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, and it awarded 82 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, USD has also earned the #16 rank 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 communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 University of South Dakota

19

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Nebraska at Omaha is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $10,578 for plains states region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNOMAHA

20
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wayne, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wayne State College is $10,608 for plains states region communications 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

21
Washburn University crest
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. This medium-sized school is located in Topeka, Kansas, and it awarded 53 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Washburn University is $11,258 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Washburn University

22
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

With a ranking of #22, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. South Dakota State is located in Brookings, South Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, South Dakota State has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,171 for plains states region communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Dakota State.

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%.

Full South Dakota State Communication & Media Studies Report

23

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $12,724 for plains states region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Missouri - Kansas City

24
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. University of Central Missouri is a fairly large public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 47 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,006 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCM.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UCM

25
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

With a ranking of #25, Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus is $15,735 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Gustavus Adolphus

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