2026 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Radio, Television & Digital Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong radio, television & digital communication education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 60 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for radio, television & digital communication students.
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2026 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the radio, television & digital communication degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools
Leading the list is Hawkeye Community College, our #1 best value for radio, television & digital communication in the The Plains States Region. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $41,902. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ridgewater College earned it the #2 place for radio, television & digital communication. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $15,556 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $42,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in radio, television & digital communication, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $19,604. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $36,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Missouri State University earned it the #4 place for radio, television & digital communication. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $43,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. 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, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #6 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $27,125 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $28,146. Set against $27,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Kansas State University came in at #7 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #8 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,920 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,013 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota generally make around $40,361. That is a strong return on a $24,013 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Webster University came in at #9 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Webster University earn a median of $57,152 early in their careers. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Dunwoody College Of Technology earned the #10 position for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,477 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $18,973. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Dunwoody College Of Technology earn a median of $53,751 early in their careers. Set against $18,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dunwoody College Of Technology admits about 99% of applicants.
Macalester College came in at #11 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,104 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $22,147. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $42,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Macalester College admits about 28% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
