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2026 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Journalism Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Minnesota Twin Cities the best value for a degree in general journalism in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,811 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $54,601. Set against $22,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $47,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Lincoln University Missouri is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,796, while out-of-state students pay about $17,692. Students borrow a median of $34,532 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Lincoln University Missouri earn a median of $26,356 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Iowa State University one of the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $39,347. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
Kansas State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $37,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #7 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,408. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $46,503. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #8 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,400 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $49,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #9 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $26,351. General Journalism graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $27,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,351 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Iowa ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,907 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $54,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general journalism education at a price that pays off.
