2026 Best Value Communications Schools in Missouri
[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communications education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for communications students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Communications Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communications Schools
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #1 spot for value among communications schools in Missouri. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Communications graduates carry a median of $21,326 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $32,809. That is a strong return on a $21,326 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Harris Stowe State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,008, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $32,394. Early-career communications graduates make about $31,173. Set against $32,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Northwest Missouri State University one of the best values for communications. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $34,195. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Drury University earned it the #4 place for communications. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,745. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,641. Early-career communications graduates make about $37,267. That is a strong return on a $26,641 median debt. Drury University admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Saint Louis University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Communications graduates carry a median of $24,343 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $30,047. Set against $24,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
More Communications Rankings
View All Communications Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
