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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region

56 Ranked Colleges
3,456 Degrees Awarded
$19,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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.

For this year’s “Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking, we looked at 56 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k”.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #1 for the Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 62 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also took the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,438 for plains states region communications students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNI

2

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 92 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,002 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Iowa State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full Iowa State University Communication & Media Studies Report

3
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #3 for the Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 216 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,401 for plains states region communications students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Iowa.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Iowa Communication & Media Studies Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #4 for the Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 106 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UMSL also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $12,232 for plains states region communications students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UMSL.

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%.

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

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 141 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students whose families make more than $110k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region communications students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Communication & Media Studies Report

6
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. KU is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 162 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend KU is $20,257 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Kansas Communication & Media Studies Report

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL also took the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,013 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make more than $110k.

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%. 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 UNL

8
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Truman State University is a small school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 44 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Truman State is $12,301 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Communication & Media Studies Report

9
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #9, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. UND is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 104 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UND also took the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UND is $16,966 for plains states region communications students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UND Communication & Media Studies Report

10
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #10, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Saint Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 105 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for plains states region communications students whose families make more than $110k.

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

11

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #11 on this year’s Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k 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.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,559 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

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 University of Missouri - Columbia

12

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #12. Northwest Missouri State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Maryville, Missouri. It awarded 62 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northwest is $12,925 for plains states region communications students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Communication & Media Studies Report

13
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,389 for plains states region communications students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of South Dakota.

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%.

Full University of South Dakota Communication & Media Studies Report

14
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. 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.

South Dakota State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $18,578 for plains states region communications students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend South Dakota State University.

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%.

Full South Dakota State Communication & Media Studies Report

15
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 77 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Winona State is $17,634 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make more than $110k.

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%.

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

16

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #16 on this year’s Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 13 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,878 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, 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 93%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UMN Twin Cities

17

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $16,718 for plains states region communications students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Communication & Media Studies Report

18
Washburn University crest
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #18. Washburn University is a medium-sized school located in Topeka, Kansas that handed out 53 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,339 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Washburn University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Washburn University

19
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. WSC is a small public school situated in Wayne, Nebraska. It awarded 23 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,141 for plains states region communications students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend WSC.

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%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Wayne State College

20

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. UMKC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 74 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $15,702 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make more than $110k.

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 UMKC

21
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $17,366 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Lindenwood University

22
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and it awarded 69 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,568 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Communication & Media Studies Report

23
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Warrensburg, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 47 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Missouri is $14,058 for plains states region communications students whose families make more than $110k.

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

24

With a ranking of #24, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Wichita, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 61 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for WSU is $14,859 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at WSU

25
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 39 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $18,433 for Plains States Region Communications students whose families make more than $110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Kansas State University Communication & Media Studies Report

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