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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Journalism (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

80 Ranked Colleges
6,250 Degrees Awarded
$10,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Communication & Journalism is the 11th most popular major in the country with 121,387 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, communication and journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,549 and had an average of $24,893 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 7,211 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,619 and $25,041 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 6,250 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 80 colleges that offered a degree in communication and journalism. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication and journalism programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication and 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

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Journalism (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 80 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 322 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,266 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Communication & Journalism Report

#2

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri
#16 in overall quality

Out of the 80 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Truman State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Truman State University is a public institution located in Kirksville, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 50 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Truman State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Truman State is $7,564 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Truman State University

#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 107 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $7,443 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Communication & Journalism at UMN Duluth

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 80 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #4 spot on the list. Mizzou is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 641 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $10,940 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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 more about Communication & Journalism at University of Missouri - Columbia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Crookston. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This small school is located in Crookston, Minnesota, and it awarded 23 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,832 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of Minnesota - Crookston

#9 in overall quality

Iowa State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 285 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa State also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $10,054 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Iowa State

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNL is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 357 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

UNL also took the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $12,216 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. 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 UNL Communication & Journalism Report

#8

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#17 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. University of Northern Iowa is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 145 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $10,757 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of Northern Iowa

#13 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees to 121 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,057 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Communication & Journalism Report

#10

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

University of Iowa landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 349 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $12,975 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 88%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of Iowa

#25 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees to 86 students in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $10,490 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#12

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 115 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $10,688 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Saint Cloud State University

#13

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
#22 in overall quality

Winona State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 66 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,381 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Winona State.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Winona State

#14

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#14 in overall quality

University of North Dakota came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 77 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UND also took the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $11,092 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of North Dakota

#23 in overall quality

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 52 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State University also took the #23 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $11,524 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The 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 Communication & Journalism at North Dakota State University

#16

Valley City State University

Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Valley City State University is a small public school situated in Valley City, North Dakota. It awarded 5 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,026 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Valley City State University.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Valley City State University

#17

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. This fairly large school is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and it awarded 163 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $9,092 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Southeast Missouri State University

#18

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees to 143 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for K -State is $14,232 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read more about Communication & Journalism at K -State

#19

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 374 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $14,387 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of Kansas

#20

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #20, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 94 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s communication and journalism students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,401 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at UMSL

#21

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota
#6 in overall quality

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Gustavus Adolphus is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Peter, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 35 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Gustavus Adolphus, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus College is $12,150 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Gustavus Adolphus College

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 64 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $9,990 for plains states region bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Communication & Journalism Report

Missouri Southern State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Missouri Southern is located in Joplin, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Missouri Southern State University is $7,882 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Missouri Southern

#24

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. This small school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $10,632 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Bemidji State University Communication & Journalism Report

#25

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

With a ranking of #25, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMKC is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 92 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $12,065 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at UMKC

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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.

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