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Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region

152 Colleges
$35,709 Avg Salary
$29,348 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Communication & Media Studies School for You

With 66,787 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, communication and media studies is the #10 most popular major in the United States.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 152 schools in the Plains States Region to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Communication & Media Studies program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for communications majors pursuing a .

Our analysis found University of Missouri - Columbia to be the most popular school for communication and media studies students who want to pursue a degree in the Plains States Region . Mizzou is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia.

After completing their degree, communications graduates from Mizzou carry an average student debt load of $22,814. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $531.

Full Communication & Media Studies at University of Missouri - Columbia Report

#2

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Iowa is a great place for communication and media studies students. Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, communications majors at Iowa accumulate an average of around $23,590 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $438, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Iowa

#3

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS

The excellent programs at University of Kansas helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best communication and media studies schools in the Plains States Region . Located in the small city of Lawrence, KU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, communications majors at KU accumulate an average of around $23,250 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $455.

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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Minnesota State University - Mankato is a great place for communication and media studies students. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school located in the city of Mankato.

After completing their degree, communications graduates from Minnesota State Mankato carry an average student debt load of $25,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $150, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - St Louis. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. UMSL is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.

The average amount in student loans that communications majors at UMSL take out is $25,000.

Full Communication & Media Studies at University of Missouri - St Louis Report

#6

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular communication and media studies programs. St. Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud.

Communications majors at St. Cloud State University take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Saint Cloud State University

#7

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND

University of North Dakota landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular communication and media studies programs. UND is a large public school located in the small city of Grand Forks.

After completing their degree, communications graduates from UND carry an average student debt load of $24,000.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of North Dakota

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular communication and media studies programs. Missouri State is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Springfield.

On average, communications graduates from Missouri State take out $25,751 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $197, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Missouri State University - Springfield Report

Iowa State University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular communication and media studies programs. Iowa State is a very large public school located in the small city of Ames.

On average, communications graduates from Iowa State take out $23,125 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $145.

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University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for communication and media studies students. It came in at #10 on the list. UMN Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Duluth.

On average, communications graduates from UMN Duluth take out $23,375 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $193.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Minnesota - Duluth

#11

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD

With a ranking of #11, University of South Dakota did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students. Located in the town of Vermillion, USD is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their degree, communications majors at USD accumulate an average of around $24,250 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $175, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of South Dakota

#12

Winona State University

Winona, MN

Winona State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Winona State is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona.

On average, communications graduates from Winona State take out $25,415 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $158, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Winona State University Report

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Kansas City, UMKC is a public school with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that communications majors at UMKC take out is $22,250.

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#14

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for communication and media studies students. It came in at #14 on the list. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau.

Communications majors at Southeast Missouri State University take out an average of $23,920 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $144.

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#15

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular communication and media studies programs. Located in the large suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, communications majors at Bethel University Minnesota accumulate an average of around $25,875 in student debt.

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#16

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA

University of Northern Iowa ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, UNI is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Communications majors at UNI take out an average of $20,250 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $187, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Communication & Media Studies at University of Northern Iowa Report

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the remote town of Maryville.

Communications majors at Northwest take out an average of $24,560 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $232, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Northwest Missouri State University Report

#18

Wichita State University

Wichita, KS

Wichita State University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular communication and media studies programs. Located in the city of Wichita, WSU is a public school with a large student population.

After completing their degree, communications graduates from WSU carry an average student debt load of $26,500.

Read More…

#19

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for communication and media studies students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in the distant town of Pittsburg, Pitt State is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

On average, communications graduates from Pitt State take out $25,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Pittsburg State University

#21

Washburn University

Topeka, KS

With a ranking of #21, Washburn University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that communications majors at Washburn University take out is $27,130.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Washburn University

#21

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Saint Louis, SLU is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

While working on their degree, communications majors at SLU accumulate an average of around $26,242 in student debt.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Saint Louis University Report

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
23 University of St Thomas Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
24 University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO
24 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE
26 Truman State University Kirksville, MO
26 Webster University Saint Louis, MO
28 Drake University Des Moines, IA
29 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS
30 South Dakota State University Brookings, SD
30 Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN

Best Communication & Media Studies Colleges by State

Explore the best communication and media studies schools for a specific state in the Plains States region.

State Degrees Awarded
Missouri 1,007
Minnesota 887
Kansas 490
Iowa 552
Nebraska 156
North Dakota 131
South Dakota 159

One of 5 majors within the area of study, communication and media studies has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Public Relations & Advertising 21,099
Radio, Television & Digital Communication 17,669
Journalism 13,552
Communication & Journalism (Other) 1,128
Publishing 336

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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