2026 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

Leading the list is University Of Missouri Kansas City, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $21,982 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $38,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

2

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,327. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.

3

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

A rank of #3 makes Truman State University one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $31,853 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.

4

Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO

A rank of #4 makes Missouri Southern State University one of the best values for communication & media studies. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $18,350 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $30,201 early in their careers. Set against $18,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Minnesota Crookston
Crookston, MN

University Of Minnesota Crookston came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,288 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,288. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $42,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Crookston admits about 88% of applicants.

6

Washburn University
Topeka, KS

Washburn University placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $39,932 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $21,326 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $32,809 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

8

Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS

Fort Hays State University came in at #8 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,967. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $49,775. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

9

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,387. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $40,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

10

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University earned the #10 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,279. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.

11

Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, MO

Missouri Western State University earned the #11 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,362. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $41,107 early in their careers. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Rochester Community And Technical College
Rochester, MN

Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #12 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $27,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.

13

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,577. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

14

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas earned the #14 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,250. Communication & Media Studies 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

15

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,159. Communication & Media Studies 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. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

16

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,195. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.

17

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,312 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. Set against $22,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.

18

Wayne State College
Wayne, NE

Wayne State College placed #18 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,325 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $35,833. Set against $25,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #19 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $46,327 early in their careers. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.

20

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. 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 & media studies graduates is $22,138. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $39,702 early in their careers. Set against $22,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

21

Emporia State University
Emporia, KS

Emporia State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $37,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.

22

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University earned the #22 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,425. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,497. Set against $19,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

23

Harris Stowe State University
Saint Louis, MO

Harris Stowe State University came in at #23 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,008, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $32,394. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,173. That is a strong return on a $32,394 median debt.

24

Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,875. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $34,243. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.

25

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University came in at #25 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.