College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

56 Ranked Colleges
3,456 Degrees Awarded
$16,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

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 Getting Aid” 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 Getting Aid” ranking looked at 56 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Communications Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 106 students 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 estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $12,232 for plains states region communications students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

2
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and 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. It costs about $19,401 for Plains States Region Communications students with aid per year to attend Iowa.

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 2.2% 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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Iowa

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 223 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also took the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $16,559 for plains states region communications students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #4 spot on the list. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 141 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for Plains States Region Communications students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Minnesota State Mankato

5

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Iowa State University is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 92 ’s communications 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. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $16,002 for Plains States Region Communications students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, 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%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Iowa State

6

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region communications students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UMN Twin Cities

7
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #7, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 105 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students with aid list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #17 rank 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 with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at St. Cloud State University

8

University of Northern Iowa came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 62 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communications students with aid list, UNI has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $16,438 for plains states region communications students with aid.

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 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNI

9

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. UNL is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 47 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,013 for plains states region communications students with aid per year to attend UNL.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNL

10
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Truman State is a small school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 44 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,301 for Plains States Region Communications students with aid per year to attend Truman State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Truman State

10
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 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 yearly cost to attend KU is $20,257 for plains states region communications students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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 KU Communication & Media Studies Report

12

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 62 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,925 for plains states region communications students with aid per year to attend Northwest Missouri State University.

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

13
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 77 students in 2020-2021.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $17,634 for plains states region communications students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

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

University of North Dakota landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 104 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,966 for Plains States Region Communications students with aid per year to attend University of North Dakota.

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 more about Communication & Media Studies at UND

15
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Cape Girardeau, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 69 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for Plains States Region Communications students with aid.

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

16

With a ranking of #16, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,914 for plains states region communications students with aid per year to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Nebraska at Omaha

17
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

With a ranking of #17, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. USD is a medium-sized school located in Vermillion, South Dakota that handed out 82 ’s communications degrees 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 with aid per year to attend USD.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

18

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 100 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also took the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $16,718 for plains states region communications students with aid.

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%.

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

19
Washburn University crest
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas

With a ranking of #19, Washburn University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Topeka, Kansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 53 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Washburn University is $14,339 for plains states region communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Washburn University

20
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 38 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,578 for Plains States Region Communications students with aid per year to attend South Dakota State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full South Dakota State Communication & Media Studies Report

21

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 90 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Duluth is $18,505 for Plains States Region Communications students with aid.

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 UMN Duluth Communication & Media Studies Report

22
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Wayne State College is a small school located in Wayne, Nebraska that handed out 23 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,141 for plains states region communications students with aid per year to attend Wayne State College.

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

23
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCM is a fairly large public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 47 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,058 for Plains States Region Communications students with aid per year to attend UCM.

Full University of Central Missouri Communication & Media Studies Report

24

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. University of Missouri - Kansas City 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.

It costs about $15,702 for plains states region communications students with aid per year to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City.

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%.

Full UMKC Communication & Media Studies Report

25

With a ranking of #25, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 61 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,859 for plains states region communications students with aid per year to attend WSU.

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

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options