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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

29 Ranked Colleges
1,755 Degrees Awarded
$11,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 22,298 people earned their degree in communication sciences, making the major the 47th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, communication sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $47,173 and had an average of $22,255 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,755 communication sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,837 and $22,401 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 29 colleges that offered a degree in communication sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 32 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

WUSTL also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WUSTL is $1,556 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Washington University in St Louis

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 87 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about Communication Sciences at UMN Twin Cities

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 55 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,843 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at University of Minnesota - Duluth

4
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Truman State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Truman State is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

Truman State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,208 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Truman State.

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

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Truman State

5
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 123 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $13,554 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Iowa Communication Sciences Report

6
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Dakota is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 49 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $12,394 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Sciences at UND

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 62 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,005 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at University of Missouri - Columbia

8

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 129 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State is $12,381 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Missouri State University - Springfield

9

With a ranking of #9, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 89 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,692 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Sciences at Minnesota State Mankato

10

University of Northern Iowa came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 96 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNI has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Iowa is $10,513 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full UNI Communication Sciences Report

11
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. KU is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 109 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, KU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $15,666 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full KU Communication Sciences Report

12
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. MSU is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 43 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,920 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MSU.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Minot State University

13

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 95 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNL has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $11,672 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UNL Communication Sciences Report

14
UMary crest
University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

University of Mary ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Mary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bismarck, North Dakota. It awarded 30 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UMary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMary is $16,706 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 University of Mary Communication Sciences Report

15
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 33 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,348 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

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 Sciences at St. Cloud State University

16
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

With a ranking of #16, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $10,359 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Southeast Missouri State University

17

Wichita State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wichita State University is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 57 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wichita State University is $11,687 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Wichita State University

18
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCM is a public institution located in Warrensburg, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,006 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCM.

Read more about Communication Sciences at University of Central Missouri

19

Fort Hays State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fort Hays State University is a fairly large public school situated in Hays, Kansas. It awarded 39 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,774 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend FHSU.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at FHSU

20

With a ranking of #20, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 61 diplomas to qualified ’s communication sciences students in 2020-2021.

MSU Moorhead not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $12,675 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at MSU Moorhead

21
Rockhurst crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, Missouri

Rockhurst University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Rockhurst University is a small school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 51 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Rockhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Rockhurst is $13,440 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 more about Communication Sciences at Rockhurst University

22
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, and it awarded 62 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USD, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Dakota is $15,495 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about Communication Sciences at USD

23
Fontbonne University crest
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Fontbonne University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 50 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Fontbonne University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Fontbonne University is $10,983 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

24

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Kearney, Nebraska, and it awarded 46 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNK is $14,087 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full UNK Communication Sciences Report

25
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. K -State is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,436 for plains states region communication sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kansas State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Kansas State University

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