2027 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools
Fort Hays State University earned the #1 spot for value among communication sciences schools in the The Plains States Region. 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, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $24,000. Communication Sciences graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Minot State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $61,193. That is a strong return on a $25,788 median debt. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #3 place for communication sciences. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $54,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $38,154. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the best values for communication sciences. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Students borrow a median of $17,637 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $54,826. Set against $17,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #6 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $18,067. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $35,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #7 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $24,304. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $56,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #8 position for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $41,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #9 spot for communication sciences value this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Students borrow a median of $17,781 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $51,664 early in their careers. Set against $17,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,970 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $56,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #11 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $41,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #12 position for value in communication sciences this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $18,876. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $51,334 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Mary earned the #13 position for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Kansas earned the #14 position for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $23,781. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $43,114. That is a strong return on a $23,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #15 spot for communication sciences value this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $61,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota earned the #16 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $25,110. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $59,300. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #17 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,164 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $55,600. Set against $21,164 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Kansas State University landed the #18 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $51,543. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #19 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $25,000. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $57,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $59,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $54,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #22 position for value in communication sciences this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $75,877. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #23 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $53,685 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #24 among the best values for communication sciences. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $40,392. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Augustana College South Dakota placed #25 among the best values for communication sciences. Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $40,160. Students borrow a median of $26,217 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of $50,088 early in their careers. Set against $26,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication sciences:
Narrow Communication Sciences Schools by State
More Communication Sciences Rankings
View All Communication Sciences Rankings >
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
