2027 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general journalism students.
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2027 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Journalism Schools
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for value among general journalism schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $42,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,262. General Journalism graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $22,811. General Journalism graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $54,601 early in their careers. Set against $22,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #4. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $47,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Iowa State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,250. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $39,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #6 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kansas State University landed the #7 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $37,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Students borrow a median of $26,351 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $27,474. That is a strong return on a $26,351 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #9 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,400 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $49,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa landed the #10 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $25,907. General Journalism graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $54,887 early in their careers. Set against $25,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Creighton University landed the #11 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,856. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $27,000. General Journalism graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $43,139 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
