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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

71 Ranked Colleges
3,293 Degrees Awarded
$11,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications 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. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 68,079 communication and media studies students received their degree, making the major the 9th most popular in the country. 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 bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 3,293 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 71 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.

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

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Communications 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.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 82 students in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also took the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Duluth is $7,992 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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%.

Full University of Minnesota - Duluth Communication & Media Studies Report

#2

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Truman State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Truman State is a small school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 50 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Truman State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,269 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Truman State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Truman State Communication & Media Studies Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school awarded 190 degrees to qualified bachelors’s communications students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, Mizzou has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $11,595 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Mizzou

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Crookston, Minnesota, this small public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s communications students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,948 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UMN Crookston

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school handed out 78 degrees to qualified bachelors’s communications students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $10,843 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, 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 89%.

Full Iowa State Communication & Media Studies Report

#6

Macalester College

Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #6, Macalester College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s communications students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, Macalester has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,047 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Macalester College.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Macalester College

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 121 students in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato 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 Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,781 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communications 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%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Communication & Media Studies Report

#8

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #8, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMSL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 94 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UMSL is $6,838 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#9

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 115 bachelors’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $11,274 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Saint Cloud State University

University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNOMAHA is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 36 bachelors’s communications degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $11,460 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#11

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 77 students in 2019-2020.

UND also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $11,916 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UND.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UND

With a ranking of #12, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 48 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UNL also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $13,508 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 85%.

Full UNL Communication & Media Studies Report

#13

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 66 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,606 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Winona State.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#14

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 56 students in 2019-2020.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Iowa is $12,495 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The 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 UNI

#15

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school handed out 203 degrees to qualified bachelors’s communications students in 2019-2020.

Iowa also took the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $15,073 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Iowa

#16

Valley City State University

Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Valley City State University is a public institution located in Valley City, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Valley City State University is $8,434 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Valley City State University

Missouri Southern State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Joplin, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri Southern State University is $8,416 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Missouri Southern Communication & Media Studies Report

#18

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 105 degrees to qualified bachelors’s communications students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,217 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Southeast Missouri State University

#19

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Peter, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.

Gustavus Adolphus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus College is $11,669 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Gustavus Adolphus College Communication & Media Studies Report

#20

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas

Pittsburg State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pittsburg State University is a medium-sized school located in Pittsburg, Kansas that handed out 50 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Pittsburg State University is $11,973 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Pitt State

#21

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bemidji State University is a small public school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 12 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,658 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bemidji State University.

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

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northwest Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 63 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $9,863 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northwest

#23

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #23, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Kansas is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 131 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

KU 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 University of Kansas is $15,380 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Kansas Communication & Media Studies Report

#24

Bethany Lutheran College

Mankato, Minnesota

With a ranking of #24, Bethany Lutheran College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bethany Lutheran College is a small school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 9 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Bethany Lutheran College is $12,888 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 Bethany Lutheran College Communication & Media Studies Report

#25

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 92 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s communications students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $12,553 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

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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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