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Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Iowa

2023 Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Iowa

11 Colleges
$36,503 Avg Salary
$31,478 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Communication & Journalism School for You

In 2020-2021, 1,231 degrees and certificates were awarded to communication and journalism students who went to a Iowa college or university. This makes it the #13 most popular major in the state.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

The Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Iowa ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 11 schools in Iowa to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Iowa

The following schools top our list of the Best Communication & Journalism Colleges.

Top 10 Best Communication & Journalism Schools

#1

Drake University

Des Moines, IA

Our 2023 rankings named Drake University the best school in Iowa for communication and journalism students. Located in the medium-sized city of Des Moines, Drake is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, communication and journalism graduates from Drake take out $23,250 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $353, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#2

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA

Out of the 11 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, communication and journalism graduates from Iowa carry an average student debtload of $23,920. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $417.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Iowa list. Iowa State is a fairly large public school located in the city of Ames.

The average amount in student loans that communication and journalism majors at Iowa State take out is $24,186. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $181, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#4

Simpson College

Indianola, IA

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Simpson College is a great place for communication and journalism students. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Communication & Journalism majors at Simpson College take out an average of $23,250 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#5

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA

The excellent programs at University of Northern Iowa helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best communication and journalism schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, UNI is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their degree, communication and journalism majors at UNI accumulate an average of around $22,632 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $188, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#6

Loras College

Dubuque, IA

Loras College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for communication and journalism students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, communication and journalism graduates from Loras take out $25,713 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#7

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best communication and journalism programs. Coe is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Cedar Rapids.

Communication & Journalism majors at Coe take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Communication & Journalism at Coe College Report

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#8

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best communication and journalism programs. Located in the city of Davenport, St. Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

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#9

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, IA

With a ranking of #9, University of Dubuque did quite well on this year’s best schools for communication and journalism students. UD is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Dubuque.

After completing their degree, communication and journalism graduates from UD carry an average student debtload of $24,444.

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#10

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in the remote town of Storm Lake, BVU is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

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Best Communication & Journalism Colleges in the Plains States Region

Explore all the Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Plains States Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Kansas 1,015
Minnesota 1,434
South Dakota 203
Missouri 1,975
Nebraska 719
North Dakota 171

Communication & Journalism Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Communication & Media Studies 66,787
Public Relations & Advertising 21,099
Radio, Television & Digital Communication 17,669
Journalism 13,552
Communication & Journalism (Other) 1,128
Publishing 336

Related Major Annual Graduates
Education 327,871
Social Sciences 205,984
Psychology 195,678
Family, Consumer & Human Sciences 55,820
History 32,731

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 11 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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 Josh Hallett.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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