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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the The Plains States Region

52 Colleges in the United States
4,708 Communication & Journalism Degrees Awarded
$41,497 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communication & Journalism degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their communication & journalism programs.

College Factual analyzed 174 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best communication & journalism schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Communication & Journalism 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 communication & journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Communication & Journalism

1

Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 school for communication & journalism. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 326 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,478 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,499. Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for communication & journalism. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 681 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $49,194. Typical student debt for the program is $20,974. Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of Missouri Columbia

3
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 327 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Kansas earn around $52,504 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,673 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Kansas

4
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND

University Of Mary is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & journalism, ranking #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Bismarck. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Mary in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of Mary

5
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 72 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Drake University earn a median of $45,015 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Drake University

6

Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Saint Paul graduates 45% of students within six years. Concordia University Saint Paul awarded about 25 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $59,155 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,026. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Concordia University Saint Paul

7

Iowa State University earned the #7 position for communication & journalism this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. About 75% of students finish within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 189 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Iowa State University earn around $41,938 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,897. See the full communication & journalism program report for Iowa State University

8
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa earned the #8 position for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. About 252 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $49,294. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,884 in student loans. Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Iowa

9

University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #9 among the best communication & journalism schools. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 51 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $38,786. Students borrow a median of $21,982 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Missouri Kansas City

10

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #10 position for communication & journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 319 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $42,688 early in their careers. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $22,567 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of Nebraska Lincoln

11

University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #11 position for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. University Of Nebraska At Omaha awarded about 83 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn around $41,235 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,210. Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

12
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College came in at #12 for communication & journalism this year. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Macalester College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $42,517. Typical student debt for the program is $22,147. Read more about the communication & journalism program at Macalester College

13

University Of Northern Iowa ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 99 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $42,566 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,817 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Northern Iowa

14

University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $45,100 early in their careers. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

15

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #15 for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 119 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $39,798 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for Minnesota State University Mankato

16

University Of Sioux Falls earned the #16 position for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Sioux Falls awarded about 19 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Sioux Falls earn a median of $46,956 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,103 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of Sioux Falls

17

Saint Cloud State University came in at #17 for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. There were roughly 84 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $40,279 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & journalism details for Saint Cloud State University

18
Central College crest
Central College
Pella, IA

Central College came in at #18 for communication & journalism this year. Set in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Central College graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Central College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Central College generally make around $39,953. Central College graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Get the full communication & journalism details for Central College

19

Dunwoody College Of Technology ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Dunwoody College Of Technology in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Dunwoody College Of Technology earn a median of $53,751 early in their careers. Dunwoody College Of Technology graduates carry a median of $18,973 in student loans. See the full communication & journalism program report for Dunwoody College Of Technology

20

Winona State University placed #20 among the best communication & journalism schools. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 62 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Winona State University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $38,197 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Winona State University

21

University Of North Dakota ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. University Of North Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. University Of North Dakota awarded about 95 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $34,963 in their early career. University Of North Dakota graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of North Dakota

22

University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #22 for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates 65% of students within six years. About 68 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $34,402. Students borrow a median of $25,817 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of Minnesota Duluth

23

Bethel University Minnesota earned the #23 position for communication & journalism this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 29 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $40,019 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,937. Get the full communication & journalism details for Bethel University Minnesota

24
Saint Johns University crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University earned the #24 position for communication & journalism this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Collegeville. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Saint Johns University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $40,423 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for Saint Johns University

25

Kansas State University placed #25 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 108 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $36,653 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,348 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Kansas State University

Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Journalism Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong communication & journalism education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE
32
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO
33
34
35
36
College Of Saint Benedict crest
College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN
37
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN
38
39
40
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO
41
42
43
44
Loras College crest
Loras College
Dubuque, IA
45
46
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 174 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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