Let’s begin touring the Great Plains’ Hawkeye State with 17 regionally accredited bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa. Captivating an audience of 3.13 million residents, Iowa’s $174 billion economy has a sizeable media industry for Midwest talent. According to News Generation, Iowa has two top 100 media markets in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. The BLS reports that 18,440 creative Iowans work in arts, entertainment, and media occupations. Studying communications would be applauded by several of Iowa’s biggest employers, such as Deere & Co., Wells Fargo, Tyson Foods, Winnebago, Prairie Meadows, and Kraft Heinz. Media outlets like Davenport Dispatch, KDSM-TV, Iowa Heritage Illustrated, and KTIA-FM are also hiring. Sharpen your invaluable ability to speak with confidence and purpose at these undergrad communications schools in Iowa (A-M).
Briar Cliff University
Digital Media Department
Linked to 4,663 alumni on LinkedIn, including Irma P. Hall and Matt McCoy, Briar Cliff University is a private, service-oriented Catholic liberal arts school following the motto “Mater Gratiae Caritas” when teaching 1,316 Chargers atop 70 acres in the Diocese of Sioux City, Forbes’ 62nd best small city for careers. BCU is declared America’s 493rd most diverse campus on Niche, 116th top baccalaureate institution in Washington Monthly, and 665th best value by Money Magazine. The Digital Media Department was ranked 595th nationally on College Factual for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa.
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
Chaired by four-time Gold Crown Award winner Michael Crowley, BCU’s Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication gives 24/7 access to the Integrated Multimedia Center to train undergrads who know modern technology uses for crafting important stories. Offering an optional Social Media Minor, the 120-credit degree spans courses from photojournalism to public relations. Students might also intern at KTIV, write for Briar Cliff Review, join Graphic Design Club, take the Chicago Semester, and get inspired by Clausen Art Gallery.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Heelan Hall 012
3303 Rebecca St.
Sioux City, IA 51104
(712) 279-5465
Michael.Crowley@briarcliff.edu
Buena Vista University
School of Communication & Arts
Occupying a 60-acre campus on Storm Lake with the state-of-the-art Lage Communication Center, Buena Vista University is a private, residential Presbyterian IIAC member that’s enrolling 1,982 Beavers with 92 percent retention. BVU is crowned America’s 581st best value on Niche, 59th best baccalaureate campus in Washington Monthly, and 50th top online educator by LearntoBecome.org. Maintaining SCJ’s 2012 Best Online News Website, The Tack, the School of Communication & Arts houses one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa with 59 awards from the Iowa College Media Association.
Communication Studies Major
Priced at $16,427 per semester, BVU’s Communication Studies Major is directed by Dr. Mary Gill for Bachelor of Arts students to undergo leadership development and become industry front-runners through meaningful public interactions. Capitalizing on a 9:1 student-professor ratio, the 36-credit major offers engaging courses like relational communication and an optional Theatre with Teaching Licensure (5-12) track. Undergrads may also intern at Dreamworks, volunteer with the Boys & Girls Club, become Dean’s Fellows, travel to Tahiti, and broadcast on BVTV.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Dixon-Eilers Hall 208C
610 W. Fourth St.
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 749-2172
gill@bvu.edu
Central College
Communication Department
Transferred to the Reformed Church in America’s control in 1916, Central College is a private, Protestant community-based learning institution endowed for $63.1 million under president Mark Putnam to enlighten 1,250 Dutch on its 130-acre, LEED-rated campus in Pella just 40 minutes southeast of Des Moines. Central has been named among the John Templeton Foundation’s “Character-Building Colleges,” The Princeton Review’s “Greenest Colleges,” and Barron’s “Best Buys.” Broadcasting live on 89.1 KCUI-FM, the Communication Department reports a mean mid-career salary of $86,000 on PayScale after another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa.
Communication Studies Major
Selectively admitting 73 percent of applicants with a mean SAT score of 1110, Central’s Communication Studies Major confers a B.A. for undergrads interested in examining the process of creating messages in interdisciplinary settings. Coordinated by Dr. Dennis Doyle, the 2012 ICA Award for Outstanding Leadership recipient, the 120-credit degree covers digital media to beginning newswriting. Majors might also intern at JDRF, join the Mock Trial team, perform in the Maytag Center, study in Granada, and attend the Tim Wise Lecture.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Roe Center 337C
812 University St.
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-5319
doyled@central.edu
Clarke University
Communication Department
Founded by Mother Mary Frances Clarke in 1843, Clarke University is a private, nonprofit Catholic college for the arts that’s conferring 40+ majors with HLC accreditation to 1,191 Pride from its 16-building campus in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Forbes’ 49th best small city for business. Clarke is designated America’s 570th most liberal college on Niche, 22nd top baccalaureate university in Washington Monthly, and 412th best value by Money Magazine. As an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character, Clarke awards one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa with a four-year graduation rate of 57 percent.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Building all-inclusive Clarke Compass résumés, the Bachelor of Arts in Communication is chaired by Dr. David Deifell with fellow PhD-level faculty to prepare undergrads for catering to diverse audiences in today’s world of media convergence. Offering access to Adobe Creative Cloud software, the 120-credit curriculum has traditional and A.A. transfer tracks with courses from creative thought to visual literacy. Students could also write for The Crux, study in Japan, perform with the Playmakers Improv Troupe, join Speak!, and intern at OnMedia.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Eliza Kelly Hall 208
1550 Clarke Drive
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 588-6335
david.deifell@clarke.edu
Coe College
Rhetoric Department
Endorsed in America’s Best Kept College Secrets, Coe College is a private, nonprofit Presbyterian ACM institution founded by Rev. Williston Jones in 1851 that’s now endowed for $77.9 million to teach 1,400 Kohawks upon its 65 acres in Cedar Rapids near the historic Paramount Theatre. Coe is declared the country’s 87th best value on Kiplinger’s, 123rd top liberal arts school by the U.S. News, and 280th best private university in Forbes. Also ranked 284th nationally on Niche, the Rhetoric Department provides another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa with an average class size of 16.
Communication Studies B.A.
Taught by eight full-time faculty with 100+ years of combined experience under Chair Jane Nesmith, PhD, Coe’s Communication Studies B.A. develops upon the Rhetoric Core for majors to better understand the social and cultural significance of storytelling mediums. Presently billing $51,570 yearly, the 20-course major spans topics like acting, interviewing, and technical writing. Undergrads can also practice in the Speaking Center, take the Writers Colony workshop, intern at the African American Museum of Iowa, edit The Pearl, and earn Latin Honors.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Eby Annex 3
1220 First Ave. NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 399-8254
jnesmith@coe.edu
Dordt College
Department of Communication
Endowed for $35.7 million, Dordt College is a private, liberal arts-based Christian Reformed CCCU member of the Great Plains Conference that’s led by president Erik Hoekstra to educate 1,539 Defenders atop its 25-building campus in Sioux Center near the Floyd River. Dordt is distinguished for America’s 98th best college dorms on Niche, 142nd most grateful graduates in Forbes, and #1 most student engagement by The Wall Street Journal. Featuring an average out-of-pocket cost of $14,140 yearly, the Department of Communication is the Midwest’s 17th best value according to the U.S. News for bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa.
Communication Bachelor’s Degree
Recognizing speech as God’s gift to humans, the Communication Bachelor’s Degree at Dordt utilizes the Digital Media Lab to train competent decision-makers capable of discerning everyday media conversations from a Christian perspective. Available with the optional Public Relations Emphasis, the 123-credit B.A. interjects courses like journalism, nonverbal language, and graphic communication. Students could also review 16,000 print journals in Hulst Library, get published in The Dordt Diamond, become Kuyper Scholars, venture to New Zealand, and join Faith & Film Club.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
CL Building 1312
498 Fourth Ave. N
Sioux Center, IA 51250
(712) 722-6231
Mark.Volkers@dordt.edu
Drake University
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Home to The Harkin Institute, Drake University is a private, coeducational politically active member of the Missouri Valley Conference that’s endowed for $196 million under president Marty Martin to serve 3,164 undergrad Bulldogs and employ 362 faculty on its 150 acres in Polk County. Drake is named America’s 184th top university by Times Higher Education, 307th best college on Plexuss, and 17th most value-added school in The Economist. Accredited by the ACEJMC, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication has another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa ranked 94th nationally by Niche.
Strategic Political Communication Major
Headed by Kathleen Richardson, JD, Drake’s Strategic Political Communication Major studies the fundamentals of public administration for undergrads interested in running campaigns for elected officials in complex 21st century media. Available with an optional Journalism/Law 3+3 track, the 120-credit bachelor’s infuses courses like brand strategy and American government. Students may also intern with Sen. Claire McCaskill, join the PRSSA Chapter, work on The Times-Delphic, obtain the Woodward Award, broadcast on KDRA Bulldog Radio, and engage with College Republicans.
Accreditation
• Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Meredith Hall 118
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 271-3194
kathleen.richardson@drake.edu
Graceland University
Division of Humanities
Organized by the RLDS Church in 1895, Graceland University is a private, Christ-centered nonprofit devoted to “Prudens Futuri” that’s headquartered on 170 acres in Lamoni for teaching 1,495 undergrad Yellowjackets in 35 majors. Graceland is deemed America’s 588th best athletics college on Niche, 594th top value in Money Magazine, and 319th best social service institution by Washington Monthly. Sixty percent of the Division of Humanities’ professors, including Chair Isaac Pressnell, have obtained Alumni Excellence in Teaching Awards for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa ranked 336th by salary potential on College Factual.
BA Degree-Communication Major
Presently priced at $26,440 annually, Graceland’s BA Degree-Communication Major fosters the critical thinking skills to analyze the impact of written and oral messages for improving one’s own communicative abilities. Sometimes paired with the Sandage School’s Social Media Marketing BA, the 42-credit major compiles courses like conflict dialogue, mass media, and health communication. Students can also write for The Tower, join Broadcast Radio Club, compete with Enactus, receive the Evelyn Phinney Scholarship, and edit Acacia Yearbook.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
1 University Place
Lamoni, IA 50140
(641) 784-5442
pressnel@graceland.edu
Grand View University
Communications Department
Opened in 1896 by the Danish ECLA, Grand View University is a private, nonprofit Lutheran liberal arts school in the Heart of America Conference that’s endowed for $19.7 million under president Kent Henning to instruct 2,000 Vikings on its 25-acre campus in Des Moines’ Union Park neighborhood. GVU is lauded for America’s 226th best housing on Niche, 103rd best baccalaureate degrees in Washington Monthly, and 469th most valuable tuition by The Economist. Awarding one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa, the Communications Department is chaired by Mr. Stephen Winzenburg with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio.
Multimedia Communications Major (B.A.)
Mandating a 2.2 GPA or higher, Grand View’s Multimedia Communications Major (B.A.) currently bills $23,426 annually for undergrads interested in broadening their understanding of print, broadcast, and digital media for various job opportunities. The 48-credit major conforms to upper-division students’ goals with two concentrations: Sports Media or Corporate Communication/PR. Majors might also design Honors Magazine, study away in Greece, join Communication Club, pledge Alpha Sigma Lambda, become 21st Century Scholars, intern at WOI-DT, and attend the Annual Multicultural Fair.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Student Center 146
1200 Grandview Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 263-2997
swinzenburg@grandview.edu
Iowa State University
Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
Affiliated with media alums like Sally Jacobsen, Sean McLaughlin, and Christine Romans, Iowa State University is the flagship public, land-grant AAU member and birthplace of the first Atanasoff-Berry computer that’s budgeting $1.4 billion yearly to serve 30,406 undergrads with 1,984 acres on Lake LaVerne. ISU was chosen for America’s 78th most NSF research, 234th best value tuition in Money Magazine, and 112nd best faculty by the CWUR. Also ranked 108th by the U.S. News, the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication founded in 1905 has developed four bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa with 400-hour internship requirements.
Journalism and Mass Communication Major
Starting with the Poynter Institute grammar exam, Iowa State’s Journalism and Mass Communication Major offers ACEJMC-accredited undergrad training for mastering the most effective newsmaking practices on various media platforms. Requiring a secondary minor like Public Relations or Advertising, the 120-credit B.A. fills eight terms with courses from media ethics to feature writing. Students could also intern at CNN, contribute to Iowa State Daily, become Greenlee Ambassadors, study abroad in Urbino, pledge Kappa Tau Alpha, gain SPJ membership, and broadcast on KURE 88.5 FM.
Communication Studies Major
Headed by David Vogel, PhD, the Communication Studies Major at IA State blends theory with practice to nurture students’ broad understanding of how humans interact in interpersonal and organizational settings. Currently charging $8,636 for Iowans and $22,472 for nonresidents yearly, the 33-credit major features coursework from computer-mediated communication to conflict management. Hawkeyes might also join Communication Studies Club, volunteer with ChildServ, intern at Ames Tribune, go global to Sweden, develop ePortfolios, and minor in World Film Studies.
Speech Communication Major
Featuring a four-year graduation rate of 71 percent, the Speech Communication Major lets Iowa State’s B.A. students undertake cross-disciplinary study for bettering their language abilities for civil oral discourse. Offering an English 150 Test-Out option, the 33-credit major includes courses for public speaking, persuasion, argumentation, and popular culture analysis. Other opportunities include competing with the Forensics Union, minoring in Spanish, joining Linguistics Club, reviewing Parks Library’s Media Collection, contributing to the Antislavery Literature Project, and continuing into the Ph.D. in Rhetoric Program.
Technical Communication Major
Conferring a B.S., the Technical Communication Major suits ISU undergrads seeking the STEM knowledge and journalistic skills to produce scientific texts that make industrial information more useable. Launched by the English Department in 2013, the 45-credit major chaired by Dr. Barbara Ching includes courses like biology, rhetorical analysis, and computer applications. Majors can also pursue STC certification, join Writers’ Bloc, publish in Sketch, report research for the Plant Sciences Institute, earn the Critical Writing Award, and intern for Columbia University Press.
Accreditation
• Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Hamilton Hall 101
613 Wallace Rd.
Ames, IA 50011
(515) 294-4342
greenlee@iastate.edu
Luther College
Division of History and Social Sciences
Belonging to the Annapolis Group, Luther College is a private, nonprofit Lutheran Phi Beta Kappa institution founded by Rev. Peter Laurentius Larsen in 1861 that’s now endowed for $131 million to educate 2,337 Norse on 175 acres in Winneshiek County. Luther is declared America’s 27th best free application school on Niche, 261st top private university in Forbes, and 83rd best liberal arts value by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. The Division of History and Social Sciences has attracted 158 majors to one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa since 2009 for annual tuition of $49,990 and 85 percent retention.
Communication Studies Major
Drawing resources from the Speech & Debate Center in Preus Library, Luther’s Communication Studies Major is directed by Kimberly Powell, PhD, to teach undergrads how to adapt messages appropriately to unique audience needs. Culminating in a senior project, the 120-credit B.A. melds three overlapped concentrations: Interpersonal Communication, Rhetoric & Public Address, and Media & Internet Studies. Students could also select the Journalism Minor, broadcast on KWLC Radio, intern at iHeart Media, write for Chips, join the Launching Luther Leaders Program, and venture to Malta.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Campus House 101
700 College Drive
Decorah, IA 52101
(563) 387-1362
kimpowell@luther.edu
Maharishi University of Management
Media and Communications Department
Moved from California to its 370-acre, 60-building Parsons College campus in 1974, Maharishi University of Management is a private, nonprofit yogi-inspired spiritual institution endowed for $9 million under VP Craig Pearson that’s using a whole-system approach to instruct 394 full-time undergrads. Maharishi is named America’s 105th most diverse university on College Factual, 208th top master’s college in Washington Monthly, and #2 best school for nontraditional students by BestColleges.com. The Media and Communications Department develops consciousness in another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa for $27,530 annual tuition.
BA in Media and Communications
Chaired by Mr. Stuart Tanner, a Rory Peck Award and FPA Story of the Year Award winner, Maharishi’s BA in Media and Communications uniquely integrates transcendental meditation into mindful exploration of creative artistic processes. Featuring one full-time course per month, the 48-credit major lets you specialize in Digital Arts, Filmmaking, or Digital Music before media capstone projects. Undergrads could also present at the Video & Animation Showcase, intern at The Chicago Tribune, join Photography Club, take Wise Women Lead workshops, and travel to India.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
1000 N. Fourth St.
Fairfield, IA 52557
(641) 919-7846
stuartjohntanner@gmail.com
Morningside College
Mass Communication Department
Operated by the United Methodist Church since 1894, Morningside College is a private, coeducational Christian GPAC member endowed for $31.3 million under president John C. Reynders that’s providing free Apple MacBook Air laptops to 1,321 undergrad Mustangs on its 100-acre Sioux City campus. Morningside is crowned America’s 303rd best education college on Niche, 170th top baccalaureate institution in Washington Monthly, and fifth best online school by SR Education Group. Reporting an annual ROI of 2.6 percent on PayScale, the Mass Communication Department has one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa for $28,890 per year.
Mass Communication B.A./B.S.
Boasting 96 percent job placement, Morningside’s Mass Communication B.A./B.S. is chaired by MCTV director Dave Madsen to provide undergrads with experiential learning in converged media for disseminating truthful information to diverse audiences. Ending with the senior thesis, the 120-credit bachelor’s lets students choose from three emphases: Media Management, Corporate Communication, or New Media Production. Majors may also write for The Collegian Reporter, broadcast on KMSC 92.9 FM, spend May Term in London, present at the Palmer Research Symposium, and join Omicron Delta Kappa.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Hickman Learning Center 215
1601 Morningside Ave.
Sioux City, IA 51106
(712) 274-5480
madsend@morningside.edu
Mount Mercy University
Department of Communication, Literature & Arts
Attracting 1,824 Mustangs with a median 3.44 GPA, Mount Mercy University is a private, four-year Catholic liberal arts school in the Heart of America Conference that’s grown a $23.6 million endowment under president Laurie Hamen, PhD, atop 40 acres in Cedar Rapids with the famed Our Mother of Sorrows Grotto. MMU is designated America’s 427th best small college on Niche, 87th top value in Money Magazine, and 179th best undergraduate school by Washington Monthly. Headed by Dr. David C. Klope, the Department of Communication, Literature & Arts confers another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa with 62 percent admission.
Communication Major
Expected to cost $31,598 annually before financial aid, Mount Mercy’s Communication Major awards a B.A. for students to refine their speaking and writing skills through thought-provoking experiences in today’s media industry. Giving two tracks for Verbal Communication or Mass Media Communication, the 42-48 credit major shares common courses like English composition and business etiquette. Undergrads could also snag the Creative Talent Scholarship, intern at Henry Russell Bruce, edit the Paha Review, study in Scotland, double major in Marketing, and join Improv Club.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Warde Hall 105
1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 363-1323
dklope@mtmercy.edu
Chosen as The Princeton Review’s #2 best college major, communication programs enrolled 94,511 U.S. high school grads nationwide in 2017 according to Niche. Perhaps that’s because communications aligns to several jobs making over $100K on average, including promotions manager, art director, organizational change consultant, TV producer, major gifts director, project manager, and editor-in-chief. Give yourself great publicity by graduating with one of these accredited bachelor’s in communications programs in Iowa.
Continue here: Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Iowa (N-Z)