2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 68 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & journalism schools.
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2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication & journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Our analysis ranked Iowa Central Community College the best value for a degree in communication & journalism in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $16,135. Communication & Journalism graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.
Fort Hays State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $49,775. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #3 place for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,982 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $38,786. Set against $21,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #4 place for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,210 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $41,238 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Minot State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #6 for value in communication & journalism this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $40,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Truman State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $31,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Minnesota Crookston placed #8 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,288. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Crookston generally make around $42,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Hawkeye Community College landed the #9 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #10 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,499 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,469 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $25,159 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $35,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,159 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $20,817 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $42,607. Set against $20,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Washburn University earned the #13 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,875. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $39,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #14 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,665 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $38,738. That is a strong return on a $25,665 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #15 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,326. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $32,809. Set against $21,326 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #16 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $27,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,000. Communication & Journalism graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $39,223 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Pittsburg State University placed #18 among the best values for communication & journalism. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $23,250. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $28,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Kansas ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,673. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $52,371. That is a strong return on a $22,673 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #20 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,942 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $39,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Wayne State College came in at #21 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,325. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $35,833. Set against $25,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #22 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,567 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $42,865. Set against $22,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Winona State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $38,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #24 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $34,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Bellevue University came in at #25 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,852. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,588. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for communication & journalism this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 68 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
