2027 Best Value Journalism Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong journalism education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for journalism students.
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2027 Best Value Journalism Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Journalism Schools
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 best value for journalism in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $42,450. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,811 in student loans. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Journalism graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $47,157 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $22,602. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $36,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Iowa State University came in at #6 for value in journalism this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $39,347 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #7 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $46,503. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kansas State University came in at #8 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $21,500. Early-career journalism graduates make about $37,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #9 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $26,351. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $27,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #10 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $21,400. Journalism graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $49,879 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Iowa earned the #11 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,907 in student loans. Journalism graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $54,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University placed #12 among the best values for journalism. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $41,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Creighton University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $43,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
