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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Media Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region

2 Colleges in the United States
188 Media Arts Degrees Awarded
$47,212 Avg Early-Career Salary

Media Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best media arts schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Media Arts in the The Plains States Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the media arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Media Arts

1
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas tops our 2026 ranking of the best media arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 media arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the media arts program make about $56,289 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in media arts from University Of Kansas

2

Students looking for a strong media arts program will find one at Kansas State University, which ranked #2. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 17 media arts degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their media arts degree from Kansas State University earn around $51,543 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete this degree. See the full media arts program report for Kansas State University

3
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

A rank of #3 makes Macalester College one of the top schools for media arts. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Macalester College graduates 87% of students within six years. Macalester College awarded about 10 media arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their media arts degree from Macalester College earn around $42,517 in the first couple years of their career. Macalester College graduates carry a median of $22,147 in student loans. More information about a degree in media arts from Macalester College

4

University Of Northern Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in media arts, ranking #4. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 media arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $36,324. Students borrow a median of $19,604 to complete this degree. Read more about the media arts program at University Of Northern Iowa

5

Dunwoody College Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 11 media arts degrees were awarded at Dunwoody College Of Technology in the most recent year. Media Arts graduates of Dunwoody College Of Technology earn a median of $53,751 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,973. Get the full media arts details for Dunwoody College Of Technology

6
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best media arts schools. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Ridgewater College awarded about 13 media arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the media arts program make about $42,178 in their early career. Ridgewater College graduates carry a median of $15,556 in student loans. More information about a degree in media arts from Ridgewater College

7

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #7 spot for media arts this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. Southeast Missouri State University awarded about 65 media arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the media arts program make about $43,255 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,289. See the full media arts program report for Southeast Missouri State University

8

Hawkeye Community College came in at #8 for media arts this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 16 media arts students who graduated with this degree at Hawkeye Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the media arts program make about $41,902 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete this degree. Get the full media arts details for Hawkeye Community College

9
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best media arts schools. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 media arts degrees were awarded at Webster University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $57,152. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in media arts from Webster University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 52 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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