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2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

21 Ranked Colleges
1,644 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 21 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The journalism school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Journalism (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 258 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $12,911 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 UMN 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 $48-$75k. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 488 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,715 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at Mizzou

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. 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 $48-$75k list, Iowa State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $14,641 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 89%.

Read more about Journalism at Iowa State

4
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Kansas landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 257 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $18,586 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Journalism at KU

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school handed out 109 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

UNL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $15,394 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Journalism Report

6
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 170 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $18,026 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, 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 University of Iowa

7

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 12 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $13,364 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Duluth Journalism Report

8
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 83 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $16,868 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Journalism at Kansas State University

9

Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. MSU Moorhead is a public institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU Moorhead, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MSU Moorhead is $15,809 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad 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%.

Read more about Journalism at MSU Moorhead

10

North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. North Dakota State University is located in Fargo, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

North Dakota State University also took the #15 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,071 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

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 North Dakota State University Journalism Report

11

University of Nebraska at Kearney came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UNK 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.

In addition to being on our plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNK has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,311 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney.

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

Read more about Journalism at UNK

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

South Dakota State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, South Dakota State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State is $18,826 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read more about Journalism at South Dakota State University

13

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 15 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $15,950 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 full report on Journalism at Missouri State

14

Concordia College at Moorhead landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Concordia College Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 4 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Concordia College Moorhead also took the #11 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,992 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Concordia College Moorhead.

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%.

Read more about Journalism at Concordia College at Moorhead

15
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #15, Webster University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism 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 University is $22,524 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Webster

16
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Drake also took the #6 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Drake University is $26,088 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Journalism at Drake University

17

Wichita State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 7 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wichita State University is $14,581 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Journalism at WSU

18
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Lindenwood University is located in Saint Charles, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Lindenwood University also took the #20 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $15,749 for Plains States Region Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read more about Journalism at Lindenwood University

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

Bethel University Minnesota came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Bethel University Minnesota also took the #18 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bethel University Minnesota is $23,564 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Bethel University Minnesota Journalism Report

20
Creighton crest
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 29 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

Creighton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Creighton is $27,314 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, 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 undergraduate students.

Read full report on Journalism at Creighton

21

Saint Ambrose University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Davenport, Iowa, and it awarded 6 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Ambrose University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $25,717 for plains states region journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend St. Ambrose University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Read full report on Journalism at Saint Ambrose University

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