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

60 Ranked Colleges
6,903 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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 “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 120,571 people earned their degree in communication and journalism, making the major the 11th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, communication and journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,266 and had an average of $24,758 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 6,903 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,107 and $28,529 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 60 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication and journalism. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication and journalism programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication and journalism program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & 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 Communication & 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 425 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,911 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k 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 Communication & 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 Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Mizzou is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 726 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $13,715 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Communication & Journalism at University of Missouri - Columbia

3

Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #3 spot on the list. UMSL is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 115 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, UMSL has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $11,291 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMSL Communication & Journalism Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school handed out 418 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

UNL also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $15,394 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Communication & Journalism Report

5

Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 283 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

Iowa State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $14,641 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. 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 Communication & Journalism at Iowa State

6
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 459 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $18,586 for plains states region communication & 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 Communication & Journalism at University of Kansas

7

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 141 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $14,995 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 more about Communication & Journalism at Minnesota State Mankato

8
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #8, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 386 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,026 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k 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 Communication & Journalism at University of Iowa

9

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 108 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $13,364 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 more about Communication & Journalism at UMN Duluth

10
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 108 students in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $13,140 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 Communication & Journalism at St. Cloud State University

11
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Kirksville, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,654 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Truman State University.

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%. 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

With a ranking of #12, Northwest Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwest Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 64 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,127 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northwest.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Northwest Missouri State University

13

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,574 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 Communication & Journalism at University of Nebraska at Omaha

14
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

With a ranking of #14, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 77 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $15,289 for plains states region communication & 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 Communication & Journalism at Winona State University

15

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 162 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also took the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $15,287 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 Communication & Journalism at UNI

16
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 109 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UND also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $15,818 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of North Dakota

17

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,071 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

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

18
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 138 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $13,157 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Southeast Missouri State University

19
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. K -State is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 122 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,868 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend K -State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Kansas State University

20
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. WSC is a public institution located in Wayne, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,029 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend WSC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full WSC Communication & Journalism Report

21
Simpson College crest
Simpson College
Indianola, Iowa

Simpson College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Indianola, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Simpson College is $16,829 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad 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 Simpson College

22

With a ranking of #22, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UMKC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 74 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $15,768 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at UMKC

23

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school handed out 189 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,950 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Missouri State.

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 more about Communication & Journalism at Missouri State

24
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, and it awarded 24 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus is $20,188 for plains states region communication & journalism students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 Gustavus Adolphus

25
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of South Dakota is a medium-sized public school situated in Vermillion, South Dakota. It awarded 82 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

USD also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $19,548 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of South Dakota.

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%.

Full USD Communication & Journalism Report

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