College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Most Popular Colleges for Journalism in the Plains States Region

47 Ranked Colleges
1,644 Degrees Awarded
$27,400 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 “Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 47 colleges that offered a degree in journalism. To top this list, a school must have a successful journalism program that graduates more students in the field than other colleges that offer the same major.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region”.

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 488 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Journalism Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 258 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, 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 93%.

Read more about Journalism at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

3
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Kansas. The school came in at #3 for the Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 257 students in 2020-2021.

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 KU Journalism Report

4
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 47 schools in the Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #4 spot on the list. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 170 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

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

5

Out of the 47 schools in the Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 109 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

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

6
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #6. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 83 students in 2020-2021.

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

Read more about Journalism at Kansas State University

7

Iowa State University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region list. Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, 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 89%.

Full Iowa State Journalism Report

8
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 39 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

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

Read more about Journalism at Drake

9
Creighton crest
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 29 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Journalism at Creighton

10

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 15 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Missouri State University - Springfield

11

With a ranking of #11, University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Kearney, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at UNK

12

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #12 on this year’s Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region list. UMN Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

13
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region ranking. South Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 10 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at South Dakota State

13
LU Missouri crest
Lincoln University
Jefferson City, Missouri

Lincoln University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #13. LU Missouri is located in Jefferson City, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Journalism at Lincoln University

13

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region ranking. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 10 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

Read full report on Journalism at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

13
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #13, Webster University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region 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.

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%.

Full Webster University Journalism Report

17
Drury University crest
Drury University
Springfield, Missouri

Drury University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Drury University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Journalism at Drury University

18
Hard Work U crest
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, Missouri

College of the Ozarks ranked #18 on this year’s Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Point Lookout, Missouri, and it awarded 7 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Full College of the Ozarks Journalism Report

18

With a ranking of #18, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region list. Wichita, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Journalism at WSU

18
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

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.

Read full report on Journalism at Bethel University Minnesota

21
Augustana Sioux Falls crest
Augustana University
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

With a ranking of #21, Augustana University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 6 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

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%.

Full Augustana Sioux Falls Journalism Report

21

Saint Ambrose University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #21. Saint Ambrose University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Davenport, Iowa. It awarded 6 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

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 more about Journalism at St. Ambrose University

21

Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized school located in Moorhead, Minnesota that handed out 6 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

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

24

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 5 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SMU MN Journalism Report

25
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Charles, Missouri, and it awarded 4 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

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

25

Concordia College at Moorhead ranked #25 on this year’s Most Well Attended Journalism Major in the Plains States Region list. Concordia College Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s journalism degrees to qualified 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 more about Journalism at Concordia College at Moorhead

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