2026 Best Value Communications Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Minnesota Crookston
Crookston, MN

University Of Minnesota Crookston tops our 2026 list of the best value communications schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Crookston. Students from in state pay about $13,288 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $25,288. Early-career communications graduates make about $42,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

2

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri St Louis earned it the #2 place for communications. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Communications graduates carry a median of $21,326 in student loans. Communications graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $32,809 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,326 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.

3

Rochester Community And Technical College
Rochester, MN

Rochester Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Communications graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $27,798. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.

4

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. 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 $25,000 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $40,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.

5

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $22,250. Communications graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $40,772 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

6

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University placed #6 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $25,159. Communications graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $35,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,159 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

7

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,000. Communications graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $34,195 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

8

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #8 for value in communications this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,000. Early-career communications graduates make about $39,798. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

9

Harris Stowe State University
Saint Louis, MO

Harris Stowe State University earned the #9 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,008, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $32,394 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $31,173. That is a strong return on a $32,394 median debt.

10

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota landed the #10 spot for communications value this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $24,000. Communications graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $34,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.

11

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University came in at #11 for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Communications graduates carry a median of $34,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $46,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

12

Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University came in at #12 for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $42,201. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

13

Drury University
Springfield, MO

Drury University placed #13 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,745. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,641 in student loans. Communications graduates of Drury University earn a median of $37,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,641 median debt. Drury University admits about 58% of applicants.

14

University Of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA

University Of Dubuque earned the #14 position for value in communications this year. University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. In-state tuition and fees average $42,095. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,204 in student loans. Communications graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of $53,808 early in their careers. Set against $27,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

15

Concordia College At Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Concordia College At Moorhead placed #15 among the best values for communications. Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,170. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $42,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

16

Saint Louis University Main Campus
Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $24,343. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $30,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.

17

Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN

Crown College earned the #17 position for value in communications this year. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,410. Communications graduates carry a median of $29,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Crown College generally make around $42,695. That is a strong return on a $29,537 median debt. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.

18

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University placed #18 among the best values for communications. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,873. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,852. Early-career communications graduates make about $61,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $25,937. Communications graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $40,019 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.