Best Value Communication and Media Studies Colleges in Minnesota

Metropolitan State University graduates earn $45,500 annually, the highest among Minnesota's Communication and Media Studies programs, despite charging just $9,780 in-state tuition. This earnings advantage reflects strong connections to Minneapolis-Saint Paul's media market, where Target's corporate communications teams and local television stations actively recruit. The state's 20 programs show dramatic cost variations, with University of Minnesota-Crookston offering the lowest net price at $10,874 while College of Saint Benedict reaches $28,065. Public universities dominate the value equation, with Saint Cloud State University accepting 95% of applicants at a net cost of $14,485. Minnesota's media market includes major employers like UnitedHealth Group, which maintains extensive corporate communication departments, plus emerging digital agencies serving the Twin Cities market. Graduation rates vary significantly, from Metropolitan State's 38% to Saint Benedict's 83%, suggesting different student populations and program structures across institutions.

Programs

$10,874 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$35,421

Avg. Program Earnings

62.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

28 Communication and Media Studies Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Crookston Crookston, Minnesota	$10,874	$38,721	$13,120	49.7%	57.2%
2	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485	$37,940	$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
3	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181	$45,500	$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
4	Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$17,566	$38,289	$25,000	58.8%	69.1%
5	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148	$37,443	$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
6	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$37,873	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
7	Bemidji State University Bemidji, Minnesota	$17,050	$33,993	$10,164	53.4%	77.5%
8	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464	$35,975	$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
9	St Catherine University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,563	$36,848	$49,758	65.1%	92.5%
10	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$17,816	$29,685	$10,336	54.6%	56.6%
11	Bethany Lutheran College Mankato, Minnesota	$17,680	$27,488	$30,010	59.6%	58.5%
12	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949	$36,312	$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
13	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, Minnesota	$28,065	$41,193	$53,884	83.0%	87.8%
14	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota	$26,895	$39,369	$54,310	75.9%	73.9%
15	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875	$33,565	$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
16	University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$25,140	$35,060	$36,830	68.4%	92.5%
17	Hamline University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,385	$29,685	$48,311	57.7%	80.6%
18	Bethel University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$28,439	$37,808	$42,930	75.2%	72.5%
19	Crown College Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota	$27,324	$36,134	$30,200	64.3%	66.6%
20	Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$25,651	$33,459	$30,020	71.8%	65.5%
21	Macalester College Saint Paul, Minnesota	$29,980	$21,508	$64,908	90.4%	28.4%
22	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$21,034		$43,160	67.7%	96.8%
23	Saint Johns University Collegeville, Minnesota	$27,018		$53,942	75.7%	86.2%
24	Oak Hills Christian College Bemidji, Minnesota	$24,674		$18,910	30.8%
25	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525		$52,284	75.2%	77.0%
26	North Central University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,574		$29,460	63.6%	90.8%
27	Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, Minnesota	$14,760		$10,304	44.1%	91.6%
28	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139		$16,488	84.8%	74.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Minnesota-Crookston such good value at $10,874 net cost?

Crookston combines the lowest net price among all 20 programs with solid earnings of $38,721 for graduates. The campus accepts 57% of applicants while maintaining reasonable debt levels at $14,142. Its rural location keeps costs low while still providing access to Twin Cities internships and job opportunities.

How do private college costs compare to earnings potential in Minnesota?

Private colleges charge significantly more, with College of Saint Benedict at $28,065 net cost producing $41,193 in graduate earnings. Concordia University-Saint Paul offers better value at $17,566 net cost with $38,289 earnings. The 58% graduation rate at Concordia exceeds most public alternatives, justifying the price premium for many students.

Is Saint Cloud State University worth considering despite lower earnings?

Saint Cloud graduates earn $37,940 annually while paying just $14,485 net cost, creating solid return on investment. The university accepts 95% of applicants, making it accessible to most students. However, the 47% graduation rate suggests students should carefully assess their academic preparedness before enrolling.

Does Metropolitan State University justify its higher public school costs?

Metropolitan State charges $19,181 net cost but delivers the highest graduate earnings at $45,500 annually. This $8,000+ earnings advantage over most competitors offsets the higher tuition within two years. The 38% graduation rate reflects its focus on working adults and transfer students rather than traditional college-age populations.

Where do Minnesota Communication graduates find the best job opportunities?

The Twin Cities metro area offers the strongest job market, with Target, UnitedHealth Group, and numerous media companies headquartered there. Minneapolis-based WCCO and KSTP provide broadcast opportunities while growing digital agencies serve regional clients. Duluth and Rochester also maintain smaller but stable media markets connected to healthcare and shipping industries.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.