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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Journalism in Iowa

15 Ranked Colleges
1,113 Degrees Awarded
$20,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor's in Iowa

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 121,387 people earned their degree in communication and journalism, making the major the 11th most popular in the United States. 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 Iowa, there were 1,247 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,065 and $24,847 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,113 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,922 and $25,876 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa” ranking, we looked at 15 colleges that offer a degree 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.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Journalism Schools

The communication & journalism school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa”.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa

The colleges and universities below are the best for iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students.

Top 15 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Journalism in Iowa

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa list. Iowa State is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 285 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa State also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $15,496 for iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students per year to attend Iowa State University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, 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 89%.

Full Iowa State Communication & Journalism Report

#2

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 349 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $19,145 for iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, 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 88%.

Full University of Iowa Communication & Journalism Report

#3

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa. 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.

In addition to being on our iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students list, UNI has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $15,620 for iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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 full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Northern Iowa

#4

Central College

Pella, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Central College landed the #4 spot on the list. Central is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pella, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central College is $23,269 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students.

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

Full Central College Communication & Journalism Report

#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Maharishi International University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa list. MIU is located in Fairfield, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students list, MIU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Maharishi International University is $12,441 for iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students.

The school has an impressive 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 MIU

#6

Loras College

Dubuque, Iowa
#6 in overall quality

Loras College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa ranking. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 26 degrees to qualified bachelors’s communication and journalism students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students list, Loras has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Loras College is $20,676 for iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Loras

#7

Waldorf University

Forest City, Iowa
#15 in overall quality

Waldorf University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa ranking. Located in Forest City, Iowa, this small private for-profit school awarded 9 degrees to qualified bachelors’s communication and journalism students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students list, Waldorf has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Waldorf University is $20,036 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students.

Full Waldorf University Communication & Journalism Report

#8

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Saint Ambrose University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa list. St. Ambrose University is located in Davenport, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Ambrose University, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $26,204 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students per year to attend St. Ambrose University.

Full Saint Ambrose University Communication & Journalism Report

#11 in overall quality

Graceland University - Lamoni landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa ranking. Graceland University - Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lamoni, Iowa. It awarded 9 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Graceland Lamoni also took the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $17,650 for iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students per year to attend Graceland Lamoni.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Graceland Lamoni

#10

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, Iowa
#12 in overall quality

Buena Vista University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa ranking. Buena Vista University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Storm Lake, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

BVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend BVU is $17,544 for iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full BVU Communication & Journalism Report

#11

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa
#1 in overall quality

Drake University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa list. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 80 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s communication and journalism students in 2019-2020.

Drake also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Drake University is $29,432 for iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Drake University

#12

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa
#13 in overall quality

University of Dubuque did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa ranking, coming in at #12. This small school is located in Dubuque, Iowa, and it awarded 23 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students list, UD has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Dubuque is $26,748 for iowa bachelor’s degree communication & journalism students.

Full University of Dubuque Communication & Journalism Report

#13

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

Luther College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa list. Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Decorah, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Luther not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Luther College is $23,620 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students.

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%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Luther

#14

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Wartburg College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa list. This small school is located in Waverly, Iowa, and it awarded 13 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wartburg, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wartburg College is $21,787 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students.

The 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 Wartburg Communication & Journalism Report

#15

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
#9 in overall quality

Coe College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa ranking. This small school is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s communication and journalism degrees in 2019-2020.

Coe also took the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $19,955 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Communication & Journalism students per year to attend Coe College.

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 Coe College

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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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