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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences in the Plains States Region

30 Ranked Colleges
1,755 Degrees Awarded
$17,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Communication Sciences is the 47th most popular major in the country with 22,298 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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” ranking looked at 30 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication sciences programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Communication Sciences Schools

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region communication sciences students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Missouri State University - Springfield. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 129 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication sciences students list, Missouri State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $16,718 for plains states region communication sciences students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Missouri State Communication Sciences Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 89 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $17,159 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Minnesota State University - Mankato

3
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Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Minot State University landed the #3 spot on the list. MSU is a public institution located in Minot, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,205 for plains states region communication sciences students per year to attend Minot State University.

Full MSU Communication Sciences Report

4
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University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Dakota landed the #4 spot on the list. USD is a medium-sized public school situated in Vermillion, South Dakota. It awarded 62 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication sciences students list, USD has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USD is $19,389 for plains states region communication sciences students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at USD

5
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University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Dakota landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 49 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UND not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $16,966 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 University of North Dakota

6
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University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

University of Mary did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #6. University of Mary is a small school located in Bismarck, North Dakota that handed out 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 yearly cost to attend UMary is $18,572 for plains states region communication sciences students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at UMary

7
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Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Truman State University is a small school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 59 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Truman State also made our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Truman State is $12,301 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students.

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 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%.

Full Truman State University Communication Sciences Report

8

Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Moorhead, Minnesota, and it awarded 61 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU Moorhead, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $17,680 for plains states region communication sciences students.

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%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Minnesota State University - Moorhead

8

University of Northern Iowa landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Northern Iowa is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 96 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also took the #12 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,438 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students per year to attend UNI.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at University of Northern Iowa

10
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Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #10, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and 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 $14,581 for plains states region communication sciences students per year to attend St. Cloud State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 St. Cloud State University

11
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University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 109 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $20,257 for plains states region communication sciences students per year to attend University of Kansas.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at KU

12

Saint Ambrose University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Davenport, Iowa, and it awarded 30 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Ambrose University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Ambrose University is $26,292 for plains states region communication sciences students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Saint Ambrose University

13

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 55 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also took the #15 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,505 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at University of Minnesota - Duluth

14

Fort Hays State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #14. Hays, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication sciences degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,189 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students per year to attend Fort Hays State University.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at FHSU

15
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Rockhurst University
Kansas City, Missouri

Rockhurst University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 51 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rockhurst, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,340 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students per year to attend Rockhurst.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Rockhurst University Communication Sciences Report

16
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University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Central Missouri is a public institution located in Warrensburg, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Missouri is $14,058 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students.

Read more about Communication Sciences at University of Central Missouri

17

With a ranking of #17, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 57 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WSU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wichita State University is $14,859 for plains states region communication sciences students.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Wichita State University

18
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #18. Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students.

Read full report on Communication Sciences at Southeast Missouri State University

19

University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #19. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public institution located in Kearney, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney is $17,099 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students.

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 full report on Communication Sciences at UNK

20

Maryville University of Saint Louis ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. Maryville University of Saint Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s communication sciences degrees to qualified students.

Maryville U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Maryville U is $27,290 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Maryville U Communication Sciences Report

21
Fontbonne University crest
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #21, Fontbonne University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. Fontbonne University is a small school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 50 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication sciences students list, Fontbonne University has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,359 for plains states region communication sciences students per year to attend Fontbonne University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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.

Read more about Communication Sciences at Fontbonne University

22

University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 95 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,013 for plains states region communication sciences students per year to attend UNL.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UNL Communication Sciences Report

23

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #23. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 87 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication Sciences at UMN Twin Cities

24
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 123 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region communication sciences students list, Iowa has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $19,401 for Plains States Region Communication Sciences students.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full University of Iowa Communication Sciences Report

25

With a ranking of #25, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 62 ’s communication sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Communication Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,559 for plains states region communication sciences students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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 Mizzou

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