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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in Iowa

27 Ranked Colleges
552 Degrees Awarded
$28,800 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa” 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 Iowa, there were 552 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,619 and $32,576 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa” ranking looked at 27 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication and media studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular communication and media studies programs in the United States.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 “Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa”.

1
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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 #1 for the Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 216 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Full Iowa Communication & Media Studies Report

2

Out of the 27 schools in the Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 92 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

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.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Iowa State

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #3 for the Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 62 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

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

4
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Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Out of the 27 schools in the Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Drake University landed the #4 spot on the list. Drake University is located in Des Moines, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Drake University

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Dubuque. The school came in at #5 for the Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa. UD is a small school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 24 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UD

6
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Wartburg College
Waverly, Iowa

Wartburg College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking. Located in Waverly, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

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 Wartburg College

7
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Waldorf University
Forest City, Iowa

Waldorf University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking. This small school is located in Forest City, Iowa, and it awarded 16 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Waldorf University

8
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Central College
Pella, Iowa

With a ranking of #8, Central College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa list. Pella, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Central College

9

Upper Iowa University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #9. This small school is located in Fayette, Iowa, and it awarded 13 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UIU

10
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Morningside College
Sioux City, Iowa

Morningside College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #10. Morningside College is a small school located in Sioux City, Iowa that handed out 10 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Morningside

11
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Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #11. Luther College is a small school located in Decorah, Iowa that handed out 9 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Luther College

12
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Loras College
Dubuque, Iowa

Loras College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking. Loras College is a small school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 8 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Loras

13
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Coe College
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

With a ranking of #13, Coe College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa list. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

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%.

Full Coe Communication & Media Studies Report

14

Graceland University - Lamoni ranked #14 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa list. Graceland Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lamoni, Iowa. It awarded 6 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Graceland University - Lamoni

15

Saint Ambrose University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking. Davenport, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full St. Ambrose University Communication & Media Studies Report

16
Iowa Western Community College crest
Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, Iowa

Iowa Western Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking. Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Full Iowa Western Community College Communication & Media Studies Report

17
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Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mount Mercy University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Mount Mercy University

18
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Dordt University
Sioux Center, Iowa

Dordt University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking. Dordt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sioux Center, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.

Full Dordt University Communication & Media Studies Report

18
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Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa

Buena Vista University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking. Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Buena Vista University

20
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Grand View University
Des Moines, Iowa

Grand View University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #20. Grand View University is a small school located in Des Moines, Iowa that handed out 1 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Grand View University

21

Indian Hills Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa list. IHCC is a small public school situated in Ottumwa, Iowa. It awarded 0 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at IHCC

21
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Clarke University
Dubuque, Iowa

Clarke University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa list. Dubuque, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 0 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Clarke

21

Ellsworth Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa list. This small school is located in Iowa Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 0 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Ellsworth

21

Iowa Central Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking. Iowa Central Community College is a public institution located in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Iowa Central Community College

21

Marshalltown Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #21. Marshalltown, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 0 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Marshalltown Community College

21

Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #21 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa list. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a public institution located in Davenport, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Eastern Iowa Community Colleges Communication & Media Studies Report

21
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Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, Iowa

Briar Cliff University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communications Major in Iowa list. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 0 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Briar Cliff University

Notes and References

References

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