2026 Best Value Health Communication Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Health Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/health-communication/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health communication students.
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2026 Best Value Health Communication Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health communication degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Health Communication Schools
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #1 spot for value among health communication schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the health communication program here. Soon after graduation, health communication degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $40,127. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in health communication will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #2. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the health communication program here. Health Communication graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health communication, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health communication graduates is $23,329. Soon after graduation, health communication degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $40,178. Set against $23,329 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minnesota State University Mankato earned it the #4 place for health communication. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the health communication program here. Early-career health communication graduates make about $53,088. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in health communication will find it at Bellevue University, which ranked #5. Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. In-state tuition and fees average $12,873. Health Communication graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Early-career health communication graduates make about $61,548. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #6 spot for health communication value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Health Communication graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Health Communication graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.