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2027 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

57 Colleges in the United States
2,023 Communication & Media Studies Degrees Awarded
$42,778 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communication & Media Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for communication & media studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies in the The Plains States Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Communication & Media Studies

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Missouri Columbia the best school in the country for a degree in communication & media studies. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 215 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $44,078 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Missouri Columbia

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #2. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

A rank of #3 makes University Of Kansas one of the top schools for communication & media studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 126 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $40,772. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Kansas

4

Iowa State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 44 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Iowa State University earn around $40,497 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,425. Get the full communication & media studies details for Iowa State University

5
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Drake University earn around $56,361 in the first couple years of their career. Drake University graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for Drake University

6
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa earned the #6 position for communication & media studies this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 122 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $37,647. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,814 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Iowa

7

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #7 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 47 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $40,558 early in their careers. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $19,387 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Northern Iowa

8

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 42 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Missouri Kansas City earn around $38,786 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates carry a median of $21,982 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of Missouri Kansas City

9

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #9 position for communication & media studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Duluth. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 43 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $39,706 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates carry a median of $24,182 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Minnesota Duluth

10

University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 16 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $45,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

11

University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #11 for communication & media studies this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 31 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $41,327. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Nebraska At Omaha

12

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #12 position for communication & media studies this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $39,702 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,138 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

13

Creighton University landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Creighton University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $64,369. Typical student debt for the program is $25,831. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Creighton University

14

University Of North Dakota earned the #14 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 102 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $34,963. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of North Dakota

15

Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #15 among the best communication & media studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Louis. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates 80% of students within six years. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 46 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Saint Louis University Main Campus earn around $30,047 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,343. See the full communication & media studies program report for Saint Louis University Main Campus

16

Saint Cloud State University came in at #16 for communication & media studies this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Saint Cloud State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Saint Cloud State University awarded about 31 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $40,279. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Saint Cloud State University

17

Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Gustavus Adolphus College earn around $50,074 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for Gustavus Adolphus College

18

Fort Hays State University placed #18 among the best communication & media studies schools. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Fort Hays State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $49,775. Typical student debt for the program is $25,967. See the full communication & media studies program report for Fort Hays State University

19
Central College crest
Central College
Pella, IA

Central College came in at #19 for communication & media studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Pella. Central College graduates 66% of students within six years. Central College awarded about 13 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $39,953 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Central College

20

Winona State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 39 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Winona State University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $38,197 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. See the full communication & media studies program report for Winona State University

21

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #21 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 74 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $39,798 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Minnesota State University Mankato

22

Minot State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. There were roughly 15 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Minot State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Minot State University

23

Washburn University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Washburn University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $39,932. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Washburn University

24

Bethel University Minnesota earned the #24 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 71% of students finish within six years. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 17 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Bethel University Minnesota earn around $40,019 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,937 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Bethel University Minnesota

25

Kansas State University landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $30,385. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $24,945 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Kansas State University

Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Media Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & media studies ranking:

26
Saint Johns University crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN
27
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE
28
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN
29
College Of Saint Benedict crest
College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN
30
31
32
33
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND
34
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO
35
36
37
38
Luther College crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA
39
40
41
Loras College crest
Loras College
Dubuque, IA
42
Crown College crest
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN
43
44
45
46
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN
47
48
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
49
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 57 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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