by our College Data Analytics Team
This year's Best Communication & Media Studies Colleges for Non-Traditional Students in the Plains States Region ranking analyzed 35 colleges that offered a bachelor's degree in communications. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication & media studies programs, but they also offer a lot of support to non-traditional students.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication & media studies program at the school, affordability, and presence of non-traditional students. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
As a non-traditional student, you have a lot to consider when it comes to choosing an education. That's why we've developed rankings specifically for you. Check out more major-related rankings here..
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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The following schools top our list of the Best Communication & Media Studies Colleges for Non-Traditional Students.
Metropolitan State University has taken the #1 spot in this year's communication & media studies ranking for non-traditional students. Metro State is a moderately-sized public school located in the large city of Saint Paul.
The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.4%. Approximately 2,941 students take at least one class online at Metro State. 4,032 of Metro State students are attending part time.
University of Iowa comes in at #2 in this year's ranking. Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public college with a very large student population. Iowa also took the #2 spot in our Best Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Plains States Region rankings.
The student loan default rate at Iowa is lower than is typical, just 1.2% of students default in three years. Approximately 12,975 students take at least one class online at Iowa. 5,055 students are part time.
Our rankings recognize University of Kansas as the #3 school in this year's rankings. Located in the small city of Lawrence, KU is a public college with a fairly large student population. In addition to being on our best for non-traditional students list, KU has also earned the #1 rank in our Best Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Plains States Region ranking.
The student loan default rate at KU is lower than is typical, just 1.2% of students default in three years. Approximately 11,364 students take at least one class online at KU. 4,657 of KU students are attending part time.
Full Communication & Media Studies at University of Kansas Report
Bethel University Minnesota comes in at #4 in this year's ranking. Located in the large suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population. Bethel University Minnesota also took the #6 spot in our Best Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Plains States Region rankings.
About 1.1% of Bethel University Minnesota students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. Approximately 1,200 students take at least one class online at Bethel University Minnesota. 1,265 of Bethel University Minnesota students are attending part time.
Full Communication & Media Studies at Bethel University Minnesota Report
University of Missouri - Columbia comes in at #5 in this year's ranking. Mizzou is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Columbia. Mizzou also made our Best Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Plains States Region list, coming in at #4.
About 0.7% of Mizzou students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. There are approximately 15,161 students at Mizzou that take at least one class online. 5,276 of Mizzou students are attending part time.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #6 spot in our 2021 rankings. St. Cloud State University is a large public school located in the small city of Saint Cloud.
About 1.5% of St. Cloud State University students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. Approximately 3,952 students take at least one class online at St. Cloud State University. There are roughly 5,106 part time students in attendance at St. Cloud State University.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Saint Cloud State University
Minnesota State University - Mankato earned the #7 spot in our 2021 rankings. Minnesota State Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato.
About 1.2% of Minnesota State Mankato students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. There are approximately 5,945 students at Minnesota State Mankato that take at least one class online. About 3,872 of the students at Minnesota State Mankato are attending part time.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Minnesota State University - Mankato
Winona State University earned the #8 spot in our 2021 rankings. Winona State is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona.
The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.1%. Approximately 2,776 students take at least one class online at Winona State. 1,337 of Winona State students are attending part time.
The #9 spot in this year's ranking belongs to St Catherine University. St. Kate's is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Saint Paul.
The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.5%. There are approximately 1,150 students at St. Kate’s that take at least one class online. 1,608 of St. Kate’s students are attending part time.
University of Nebraska - Lincoln comes in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in the large city of Lincoln, UNL is a public college with a fairly large student population. UNL also made our Best Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Plains States Region list, coming in at #5.
About 0.5% of UNL students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. There are approximately 13,905 students at UNL that take at least one class online. About 3,376 of the students at UNL are attending part time.
Learn about other programs related to Communication & Media Studies that might interest you.
MS in Marketing - New Media & Communications
Explore how emerging media impacts the study of culture, relationships and messages with this online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Explore the best for non-traditional students communication & media studies colleges for a specific state in the Plains States region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Missouri | 929 |
| Minnesota | 817 |
| Iowa | 495 |
| Kansas | 440 |
| Nebraska | 142 |
| North Dakota | 120 |
| South Dakota | 137 |
One of 5 majors within the Communication & Journalism area of study, Communication & Media Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.
Footnotes
*Avg Cost is for the top 25 schools only.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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