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2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

56 Ranked Colleges
3,456 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 66,787 communication and media studies students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. 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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 56 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 106 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMSL, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMSL is $11,291 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMSL Communication & Media Studies Report

2

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 13 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $12,911 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

3

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #3 spot on the list. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 223 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Mizzou has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $13,715 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Mizzou

4

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 92 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $14,641 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Iowa State University Communication & Media Studies Report

5

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 90 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $13,364 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Minnesota - Duluth Communication & Media Studies Report

6

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 141 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Mankato is $14,995 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Minnesota State University - Mankato

7
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. KU is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 162 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

KU also took the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $18,586 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at KU

8
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #8, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 105 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $13,140 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

9
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

With a ranking of #9, Truman State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Kirksville, Missouri, this small public school handed out 44 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,654 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Truman State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 Truman State University

10

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 62 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,127 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northwest.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northwest Missouri State University

11
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 216 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $18,026 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

12

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school handed out 47 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

UNL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,394 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

13
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Winona State University is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 77 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Winona State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $15,289 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Winona State

14

University of Northern Iowa came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $15,287 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNI

15
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 104 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UND not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $15,818 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 University of North Dakota Communication & Media Studies Report

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

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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.

It costs about $13,157 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Communication & Media Studies Report

17

University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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.

It costs about $13,574 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 Nebraska at Omaha Communication & Media Studies Report

18

With a ranking of #18, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 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. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State is $15,950 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Communication & Media Studies Report

19
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Wayne, Nebraska, and it awarded 23 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wayne State College is $14,029 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at WSC

20

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 74 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City is $15,768 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

21
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools 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 33 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Lindenwood University has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $15,749 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Lindenwood University Communication & Media Studies Report

22
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

With a ranking of #22, Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 24 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus College is $20,188 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, 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 undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Gustavus Adolphus

23
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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 82 students in 2020-2021.

USD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,548 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of South Dakota.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full USD Communication & Media Studies Report

24
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UCM is a fairly large school located in Warrensburg, Missouri that handed out 47 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Missouri is $14,267 for plains states region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

25
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,868 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Kansas State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

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