College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

21 Ranked Colleges
1,644 Degrees Awarded
$20,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 13,552 people earned their degree in journalism, making the major the 69th most popular in the United States. 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 Getting Aid” 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the journalism program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Journalism Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region journalism students with aid.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Journalism in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

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 Getting Aid list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 258 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,878 for plains states region journalism students with aid per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on 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 Getting Aid. Mizzou is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 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. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,559 for Plains States Region Journalism students with aid.

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 Mizzou

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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 170 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region journalism students with aid list, Iowa has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,401 for plains states region journalism students with aid per year to attend University of Iowa.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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 more about Journalism at Iowa

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school awarded 109 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

UNL also took the #5 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,013 for plains states region journalism students with aid per year to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

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 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 more about Journalism at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

4

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 56 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,002 for plains states region journalism students with aid per year to attend Iowa State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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%.

Read more about Journalism at Iowa State

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school awarded 257 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region journalism students with aid list, KU has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $20,257 for Plains States Region Journalism students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Kansas Journalism Report

7
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Kansas State University is a large school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 83 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $18,433 for plains states region journalism students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 full report on Journalism at Kansas State University

8

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. North Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 10 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University also took the #15 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,998 for Plains States Region Journalism students with aid.

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 North Dakota State University - Main Campus Journalism Report

9

University of Nebraska at Kearney landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Kearney, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

UNK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Kearney is $17,099 for Plains States Region Journalism students with aid.

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 University of Nebraska at Kearney

10

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. 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. It costs about $18,505 for Plains States Region Journalism students with aid per year to attend UMN Duluth.

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 University of Minnesota - Duluth

11

Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 6 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU Moorhead not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend MSU Moorhead is $17,680 for plains states region journalism students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at Minnesota State University - Moorhead

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

South Dakota State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 10 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $18,578 for plains states region journalism students with aid per year to attend South Dakota State University.

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

13

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Missouri State is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Missouri State also made our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $16,718 for plains states region journalism students with aid per year to attend Missouri State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at Missouri State

14

Wichita State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. 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 yearly cost to attend Wichita State University is $14,859 for plains states region journalism students with aid.

Read full report on Journalism at Wichita State University

15
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Webster is a medium-sized school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 11 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Webster, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Webster University is $23,248 for plains states region journalism students with aid.

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 Webster Journalism Report

16

Concordia College at Moorhead ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Concordia College Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Concordia College Moorhead did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $23,189 for Plains States Region Journalism students with aid 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

17
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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Saint Charles, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 4 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $17,366 for Plains States Region Journalism students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Lindenwood University Journalism Report

18
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 39 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drake, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $29,903 for Plains States Region Journalism students with aid per year to attend Drake University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Journalism at Drake

19

Saint Ambrose University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. 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. The estimated yearly cost for St. Ambrose University is $26,292 for Plains States Region Journalism students with aid.

The undergrad 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 Saint Ambrose University Journalism Report

20
Creighton crest
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Creighton University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 29 ’s journalism degrees 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. It costs about $31,218 for plains states region journalism students with aid per year to attend Creighton.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full Creighton Journalism Report

21
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Bethel University Minnesota is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 7 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region journalism students with aid list, Bethel University Minnesota has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $28,178 for Plains States Region Journalism students with aid per year to attend Bethel University Minnesota.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, 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 85%.

Read more about Journalism at Bethel University Minnesota

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options