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2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

24 Ranked Colleges
1,631 Degrees Awarded
$15,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Journalism is the 62nd most popular major in the country with 14,528 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $31,042 and had an average of $24,628 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,830 journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,850 and $22,444 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,631 journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 24 colleges that offer 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the journalism program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Journalism Schools

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 “Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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 for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 24 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Journalism (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

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 $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 277 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $8,418 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read full report on Journalism at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Missouri - Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 451 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $11,595 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Journalism at Mizzou

#12 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified bachelors’s journalism students in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,992 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at UMN Duluth

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Iowa State University is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 77 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, Iowa State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $10,843 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Full Iowa State University Journalism Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school awarded 88 degrees to qualified bachelors’s journalism students in 2019-2020.

UNL also made our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $13,508 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Journalism at UNL

#6

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 146 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,073 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Iowa Journalism Report

North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. North Dakota State University is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,544 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

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%.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Journalism Report

#8

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. University of Kansas is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 243 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $15,380 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Kansas Journalism Report

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,460 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Journalism Report

#10

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 109 bachelors’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

K -State also made our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $15,089 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read full report on Journalism at K -State

With a ranking of #11, University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Kearney, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school awarded 24 degrees to qualified bachelors’s journalism students in 2019-2020.

UNK also took the #16 spot in our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNK is $13,417 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Journalism at UNK

#12

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, Minnesota
#10 in overall quality

Concordia College at Moorhead landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Concordia College at Moorhead is a small school located in Moorhead, Minnesota that handed out 8 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia College Moorhead did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,927 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Concordia College Moorhead.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Concordia College at Moorhead Journalism Report

#13

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota

With a ranking of #13, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. South Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 11 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k list, South Dakota State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,273 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The low student loan default rate of 3.8% 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 South Dakota State

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Missouri State is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 13 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,488 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

Read more about Journalism at Missouri State University - Springfield

Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. MSU Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 bachelors’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

MSU Moorhead did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $12,279 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at Minnesota State University - Moorhead

#16

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 5 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lindenwood University, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $13,918 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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

#17

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#23 in overall quality

Wichita State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. WSU is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 8 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for WSU is $12,543 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Journalism at Wichita State University

#18

Drury University

Springfield, Missouri
#24 in overall quality

Drury University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s journalism degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drury University, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,294 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Drury University.

Full Drury University Journalism Report

#19

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#14 in overall quality

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bethel University Minnesota, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bethel University Minnesota is $19,525 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Bethel University Minnesota Journalism Report

#20

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

With a ranking of #20, Drake University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 31 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drake, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $24,060 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Drake University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%.

Full Drake University Journalism Report

#21

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Creighton University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 27 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Creighton also made our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $28,108 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Creighton University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Journalism at Creighton University

#22

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa
#17 in overall quality

Saint Ambrose University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Ambrose University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Davenport, Iowa. It awarded 4 bachelors’s journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Ambrose University also made our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Saint Ambrose University is $24,516 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full St. Ambrose University Journalism Report

#23

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#7 in overall quality

University of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 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 #7 spot in our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Thomas Minnesota is $26,365 for plains states region bachelor’s degree journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read more about Journalism at UST MN

#24

Evangel University

Springfield, Missouri
#21 in overall quality

Evangel University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Evangel is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 bachelors’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Evangel also made our “Best Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend Evangel is $20,232 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Journalism students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at Evangel

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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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