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

60 Ranked Colleges
6,903 Degrees Awarded
$16,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 Getting Aid” 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.

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.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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.

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

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Journalism in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 115 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UMSL also took the #23 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - St Louis is $12,232 for plains states region communication & journalism students with aid.

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%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at UMSL

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 425 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region communication & journalism students with aid.

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%. 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

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 726 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,559 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Mizzou

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 Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 418 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $17,013 for plains states region communication & journalism students with aid per year to attend UNL.

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

Read more about Communication & Journalism at UNL

5
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 386 students in 2020-2021.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,401 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students with aid per year to attend Iowa.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of Iowa

6

Iowa State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 283 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

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

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%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Iowa State University

7

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 141 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication & journalism students with aid list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,159 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students with aid per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

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 full report on Communication & Journalism at Minnesota State University - Mankato

8

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UNOMAHA is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 93 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for plains states region communication & journalism students with aid.

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 University of Nebraska at Omaha Communication & Journalism Report

9
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students with aid.

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%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at St. Cloud State University

10
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. KU is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 459 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $20,257 for plains states region communication & journalism students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at KU

11

University of Northern Iowa landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UNI is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 162 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $16,438 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students with aid.

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

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of Northern Iowa

12
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Truman State University is a small public school situated in Kirksville, Missouri. It awarded 44 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Truman State University is $12,301 for plains states region communication & journalism students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Truman State University

13

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northwest is located in Maryville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $12,925 for plains states region communication & journalism students with aid.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Northwest Missouri State University

14
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Winona State University is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 77 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

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. It costs about $17,634 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students with aid per year to attend Winona 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%.

Full Winona State Communication & Journalism Report

15
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 109 students in 2020-2021.

UND also took the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,966 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students with aid per year to attend UND.

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 UND

16

North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Fargo, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,998 for plains states region communication & journalism students with aid.

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 North Dakota State University

17
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

With a ranking of #17, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Cape Girardeau, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 138 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students with aid.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Southeast Missouri State University

18
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Bellevue University is a fairly large school located in Bellevue, Nebraska that handed out 81 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Bellevue University is $17,288 for plains states region communication & 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%.

Full Bellevue University Communication & Journalism Report

19
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

With a ranking of #19, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. 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 took the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Dakota is $19,389 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students with aid.

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 Communication & Journalism at University of South Dakota

20

With a ranking of #20, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & 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 189 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $16,718 for Plains States Region Communication & 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 Missouri State University - Springfield Communication & Journalism Report

21
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

With a ranking of #21, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 122 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

K -State also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $18,433 for plains states region communication & journalism students with aid per year to attend K -State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 Communication & Journalism at K -State

22

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 108 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also took the #25 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,505 for plains states region communication & journalism students with aid per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Minnesota - Duluth

23
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Wayne, Nebraska, this small public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State College is $14,141 for plains states region communication & journalism students with aid.

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 Wayne State College

24
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 72 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State University is $18,578 for Plains States Region Communication & Journalism students with aid.

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 more about Communication & Journalism at South Dakota State

25
Washburn University crest
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas

With a ranking of #25, Washburn University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Washburn University is a public institution located in Topeka, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Washburn University is $14,339 for plains states region communication & journalism students with aid.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Washburn University

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