2026 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & journalism education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 174 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication & journalism schools.
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2026 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Leading the list is Hawkeye Community College, our #1 best value for communication & journalism in the The Plains States Region. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $41,902. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. 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.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. 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 $41,235 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.
Ridgewater College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,556 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $42,178 early in their careers. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Truman State University one of the best values for communication & journalism. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $31,853. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Crookston landed the #6 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,288. Students borrow a median of $25,288 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $42,458 early in their careers. Set against $25,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Crookston admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,350 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $30,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #8 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $21,326. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $32,809. Set against $21,326 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Washburn University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $39,932. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Hays State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,967. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $49,775. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #11 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $42,566. That is a strong return on a $20,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #12 for value in communication & journalism this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $40,279 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Missouri Western State University landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $41,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #14 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,499. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $42,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #15 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $27,798 early in their careers. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #16 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $24,942. Communication & Journalism graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $40,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #17 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $22,673 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $52,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University came in at #18 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,159 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $35,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #19 for value in communication & journalism this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Lincoln University Missouri ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,796, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $34,532 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $26,356. That is a strong return on a $34,532 median debt.
Park University placed #21 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,112. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Park University generally make around $60,192. That is a strong return on a $22,112 median debt.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,567 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $42,688 early in their careers. Set against $22,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Wayne State College came in at #23 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concordia University Saint Paul placed #24 among the best values for communication & journalism. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $29,026. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $59,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $25,665. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $38,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & journalism:
Narrow Communication & Journalism Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 174 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 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.
