2026 Best Journalism Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

Our analysis ranked University Of Minnesota Twin Cities the best school in the country for a degree in journalism. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 52 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $42,450 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full journalism details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for journalism. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 484 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $49,879 in their early career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,400 in student loans. See the full journalism program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

3

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 190 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Kansas earn around $54,601 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $22,811 in student loans. See the full journalism program report for University Of Kansas

4

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 69 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $47,157 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Nebraska Lincoln

5

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in journalism, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Iowa State University earn around $39,347 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the journalism program at Iowa State University

6

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #6 among the best journalism schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 102 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $54,887. Typical student debt for the program is $25,907. See the full journalism program report for University Of Iowa

7

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 13 journalism degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $41,913 in their early career. Drake University graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at Drake University

8

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #8 among the best journalism schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923. Get the full journalism details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

9

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University placed #9 among the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. About 71% of students finish within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 64 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $37,484. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from Kansas State University

10

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #10 for journalism this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 12 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $27,474 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,351. More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Minnesota Duluth

11

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #11 for journalism this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $46,503 in their early career. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for Missouri State University Springfield

12

University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #12 spot for journalism this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $36,703 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,602 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Nebraska At Kearney

13

Lincoln University Missouri
Jefferson City, MO

Lincoln University Missouri ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. About 20% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Lincoln University Missouri in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Lincoln University Missouri earn around $26,356 in the first couple years of their career. Lincoln University Missouri graduates carry a median of $34,532 in student loans. More information about a degree in journalism from Lincoln University Missouri