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2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

21 Ranked Colleges
1,644 Degrees Awarded
$14,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Journalism is the 69th most popular major in the country with 13,552 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $32,953 and had an average of $23,734 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,644 journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,741 and $23,977 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in journalism. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great journalism programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the journalism program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Journalism (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 258 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Journalism at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 488 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, Mizzou has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,005 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mizzou.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Journalism at University of Missouri - Columbia

3
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school awarded 170 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,554 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Iowa.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Journalism at Iowa

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school awarded 56 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $9,766 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 full report on Journalism at Iowa State

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 109 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,672 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

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 full report on Journalism at UNL

6
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. KU is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 257 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, KU has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $15,666 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full University of Kansas Journalism Report

7

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 12 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $7,843 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 UMN Duluth Journalism Report

8
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. K -State is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 83 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $13,436 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, 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 87%.

Read more about Journalism at K -State

9

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $11,835 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Journalism at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

10

Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

MSU Moorhead did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $12,675 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Journalism at MSU Moorhead

11

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Nebraska at Kearney is located in Kearney, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

UNK also made our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney is $14,087 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad 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 full report on Journalism at UNK

12
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, South Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

South Dakota State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,171 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k 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 Journalism Report

13

With a ranking of #13, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school awarded 15 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $12,381 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Missouri State Journalism Report

14

Concordia College at Moorhead ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Concordia College Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 4 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia College Moorhead, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,155 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Concordia College at Moorhead.

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 full report on Journalism at Concordia College at Moorhead

15
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

Webster also took the #10 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Webster is $18,047 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at Webster

16

Wichita State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

WSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,687 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wichita State University.

Read full report on Journalism at Wichita State University

17
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

Drake not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Drake is $25,309 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 Journalism at Drake University

18
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Saint Charles, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University also took the #20 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $12,948 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.

Full Lindenwood University Journalism Report

19
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Bethel University Minnesota is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Bethel University Minnesota not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bethel University Minnesota is $21,313 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 undergraduate students.

Full Bethel University Minnesota Journalism Report

20
Creighton crest
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Creighton is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Creighton, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Creighton is $23,398 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Journalism at Creighton

21

Saint Ambrose University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Ambrose University is a small school located in Davenport, Iowa that handed out 6 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, St. Ambrose University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Ambrose University is $20,729 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full St. Ambrose University Journalism Report

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