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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

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 $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 $48-$75k” 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.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 24 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

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 Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 $48-$75k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 2 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou 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 Mizzou are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Mizzou Communication & Media Studies Report

#3

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Saint Cloud State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 11 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University also took the #14 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 St. Cloud State University are $12,904.

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

#4

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Northern Iowa. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 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 University of Northern Iowa are $22,648.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Northern Iowa

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 12 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State University also took the #5 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Dakota State University are $11,589, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

#16 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Communication & Media Studies Report

#7

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 5 masters’s communications 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 Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #10 spot 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.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Communication & Media Studies Report

#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 $48-$75k ranking. K -State is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, K -State has also earned the #12 rank 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at K -State

#10

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Missouri - St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UMSL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - St Louis are $30,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Missouri - St Louis

#11

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. 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 KU, the school also landed the #4 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 Kansas are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#12

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UCM is a medium-sized public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 18 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UCM also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Missouri are $16,394.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UCM

#13

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Lindenwood University

#14

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#6 in overall quality

Saint Louis University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Saint Louis University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 4 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

SLU also took the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SLU are $22,074, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SLU Communication & Media Studies Report

#15

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas
#21 in overall quality

Pittsburg State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Pittsburg, Kansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Pitt State also took the #21 spot 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

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

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 8 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Missouri State Communication & Media Studies Report

#17

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. WSU is a fairly large public school situated in Wichita, Kansas. It awarded 9 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Wichita State University

#18

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Drake 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.

Full Drake University Communication & Media Studies Report

#19

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#11 in overall quality

South Dakota State University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 14 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

South Dakota State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 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 South Dakota State University are $16,743.

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

#20

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#13 in overall quality

University of South Dakota 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 $48-$75k 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 also took the #13 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 South Dakota are $12,637, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of South Dakota

#21

Drury University

Springfield, Missouri
#17 in overall quality

Drury University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 9 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Drury University also took the #17 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 Drury University are $8,515.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Drury University

#22

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 2 degrees to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

Bethel University Minnesota also took the #0 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 Bethel University Minnesota are $11,700.

Full Bethel University Minnesota Communication & Media Studies Report

#23

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #23, Webster University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Webster, the school also landed the #9 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 Webster are $13,500.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Webster University

#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 $48-$75k ranking. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree communications students whose families make $48-$75k 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 UD are $13,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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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