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2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

18 Ranked Colleges
1,450 Degrees Awarded
$14,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 12,336 people earned their degree in general journalism, making the major the 58th most popular in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,644 general journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,450 general journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 18 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general journalism. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general journalism 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 general journalism program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank General Journalism Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most 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.

Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 18 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for General Journalism (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 277 bachelors’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,266 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

The low 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 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities General Journalism Report

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #2 spot on the list. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 451 bachelors’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Mizzou also made our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $10,940 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

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

Full University of Missouri - Columbia General Journalism Report

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $7,443 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low 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%.

Read more about General Journalism at University of Minnesota - Duluth

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 77 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa State has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $10,054 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Journalism at Iowa State University

#5

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school awarded 146 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s journalism students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,975 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Iowa.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Journalism at University of Iowa

#6

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#3 in overall quality

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 243 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s journalism students in 2019-2020.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend KU is $14,387 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read full report on General Journalism at KU

#7

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

Kansas State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s journalism degrees to 109 students in 2019-2020.

K -State also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $14,232 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on General Journalism at Kansas State University

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA also made our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $10,490 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Journalism at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 1 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU Moorhead did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $12,484 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 more about General Journalism at Minnesota State University - Moorhead

#15 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Missouri State is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 13 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, Missouri State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $12,527 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Missouri State General Journalism Report

#11

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#11 in overall quality

South Dakota State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s journalism degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

South Dakota State also made our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $15,285 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Journalism at South Dakota State

#12

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#17 in overall quality

Wichita State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wichita State University is located in Wichita, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 bachelors’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wichita State University is $11,642 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Wichita State University General Journalism Report

#13

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#16 in overall quality

Lindenwood University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lindenwood University, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $14,388 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Lindenwood University General Journalism Report

#14

Drury University

Springfield, Missouri
#18 in overall quality

Drury University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Drury University is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 bachelors’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drury University, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,925 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Drury University.

Read more about General Journalism at Drury University

#15

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska
#7 in overall quality

Creighton University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Creighton is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 bachelors’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Creighton also made our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $24,458 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Creighton.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Creighton University General Journalism Report

#16

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Bethel University Minnesota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bethel University Minnesota is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 bachelors’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bethel University Minnesota has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bethel University Minnesota is $18,396 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on General Journalism at Bethel University Minnesota

#17

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa
#12 in overall quality

Saint Ambrose University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Davenport, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s journalism students in 2019-2020.

St. Ambrose University also made our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $23,977 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saint Ambrose University.

Full Saint Ambrose University General Journalism Report

#18

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#6 in overall quality

University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. University of St Thomas Minnesota is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 1 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UST MN, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Thomas Minnesota is $27,460 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on General Journalism at University of St Thomas Minnesota

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Jfurrer.

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