2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Iowa
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & journalism schools.
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2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Iowa
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
Iowa Central Community College earned the #1 spot for value among communication & journalism schools in Iowa. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $39,624. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Hawkeye Community College, which ranked #2. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $17,001. 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 Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $20,817. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $42,607 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,817 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #4 place for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,897 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $41,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Waldorf College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,978. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,622 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $63,346. That is a strong return on a $24,622 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Loras College earned the #6 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,824. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,416 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Loras College earn a median of $39,915 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Simpson College placed #7 among the best values for communication & journalism. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Indianola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,816 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Simpson College earn a median of $41,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #8 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,884 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $49,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Luther College came in at #9 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,120 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $27,000. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $42,012. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Central College placed #10 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,988. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $26,750. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $39,953. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University earned the #11 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $23,250. Communication & Journalism graduates of Drake University earn a median of $45,244 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Wartburg College came in at #12 for value in communication & journalism this year. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,250. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $40,255 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wartburg College admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
