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2021 Best Communication & Journalism Colleges for Non-Traditional Students

503 Colleges
89,939 Bachelor's Degrees
$37,340 Avg Cost*

Finding the Best Communication & Journalism Schools for Non-Traditional Students

Best Communication & Journalism Colleges for Non-Traditional StudentsWith 89,939 bachelor's degrees handed out in <nil>, communication & journalism is the #8 most popular major in the United States.

This year's Best Communication & Journalism Colleges for Non-Traditional Students ranking analyzed 503 colleges that offered a bachelor's degree in communication & journalism. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication & journalism programs as well as strong support for students classified as non-traditional.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as affordability, and overall quality of the communication & journalism program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Communication & Journalism Schools for Non-Traditional Students list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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.


 

2021 Best Communication & Journalism Schools for Non-Traditional Students in the United States

The colleges and universities below are the best for non-traditional students studying communication & journalism.

Top 25 Communication & Journalism Schools for Non-Traditional Students

1

Pepperdine University has taken the #1 spot in this year's communication & journalism ranking for non-traditional students. Pepperdine is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. In addition to being on our best for non-traditional students list, Pepperdine has also earned the #1 rank in our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism ranking.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.6%. 3,015 of Pepperdine students are exclusively distance learners. 4,069 students are part time.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Pepperdine University

2

The University of Texas at Austin earned the #2 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the large city of Austin, UT Austin is a public college with a fairly large student population. UT Austin not only placed well in our non-traditional rankings. It is also #2 on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list.

The student loan default rate at UT Austin is lower than is typical, just 0.8% of students default in three years. There are approximately 23,198 students at UT Austin that take at least one class online. 3,479 of UT Austin students are attending part time.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at The University of Texas at Austin

3

Fashion Institute of Technology earned the #3 spot in our 2021 rankings. FIT SUNY is a moderately-sized public school located in the large city of New York. FIT SUNY also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list. It's in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.2%. Approximately 2,847 students take at least one class online at FIT SUNY. About 1,095 of the students at FIT SUNY are attending part time.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Fashion Institute of Technology

4
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University comes in at #4 in this year's ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population. Syracuse also made our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list, coming in at #5.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.1%. There are approximately 2,812 students at Syracuse that take at least one class online. 3,491 students are part time.

Read More…

5

George Washington University earned the #5 spot in our 2021 rankings. GWU is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Washington. GWU not only placed well in our non-traditional rankings. It is also #7 on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list.

About 0.4% of GWU students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 5,340 of GWU students are exclusively distance learners. About 8,798 of the students at GWU are attending part time.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at George Washington University

6

University of Southern California landed the #6 spot in our 2021 best communication & journalism schools for non-traditional students. USC is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. USC also made our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list, coming in at #4.

The student loan default rate at USC is lower than is typical, just 0.5% of students default in three years. There are approximately 15,291 students at USC that take at least one class online. There are roughly 6,687 part time students in attendance at USC.

Full Communication & Journalism at University of Southern California Report

7

Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus comes in at #7 in this year's ranking. Penn State University Park is a very large public school located in the small city of University Park. Penn State University Park also made our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list, coming in at #8.

The student loan default rate at Penn State University Park is lower than is typical, just 0.0% of students default in three years. All of Penn State University Park students are attending part time.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus

8

University of Georgia earned the #8 spot in our 2021 rankings. UGA is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Athens. UGA excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.8%. Approximately 6,742 students take at least one class online at UGA. About 4,437 of the students at UGA are attending part time.

Full Communication & Journalism at University of Georgia Report

9
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Our rankings recognize Michigan State University as the #9 school in this year's rankings. Michigan State is a fairly large public school located in the city of East Lansing. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Michigan State also is in the top 5% of our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism ranking.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.8%. There are approximately 33,526 students at Michigan State that take at least one class online. 6,517 of Michigan State students are attending part time.

Read More…

10
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University comes in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in the large city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population. Boston U also made our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list, coming in at #6.

About 0.5% of Boston U students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 4,032 students at Boston U are exclusively online. About 7,057 of the students at Boston U are attending part time.

Full Communication & Journalism at Boston University Report

11

The University of Alabama earned the #11 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, UA is a public school with a fairly large student population. UA excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list.

The student loan default rate at UA is lower than is typical, just 1.2% of students default in three years. There are approximately 9,339 students at UA that take at least one class online. There are roughly 6,421 part time students in attendance at UA.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at The University of Alabama

12

San Jose State University comes in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State is a public college with a fairly large student population. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, San Jose State also is in the top 15% of our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism ranking.

About 0.9% of San Jose State students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. Approximately 19,939 students take at least one class online at San Jose State. 9,800 of San Jose State students are attending part time.

Read More…

13
The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University comes in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in the large city of Washington, The American University is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population. In addition to being on our best for non-traditional students list, The American University has also earned the #9 rank in our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism ranking.

The student loan default rate at The American University is lower than is typical, just 0.9% of students default in three years. Approximately 5,283 students take at least one class online at The American University. 3,612 students are part time.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at American University

14

Indiana University - Bloomington earned the #14 spot in our 2021 rankings. IU Bloomington is a fairly large public school located in the city of Bloomington. IU Bloomington excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.4%. There are approximately 18,013 students at IU Bloomington that take at least one class online. 5,256 of IU Bloomington students are attending part time.

Read More…

15
Hofstra crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University comes in at #15 in this year's ranking. Hofstra is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, Hofstra is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list.

About 1.0% of Hofstra students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. Approximately 1,868 students take at least one class online at Hofstra. 1,466 students are part time.

Read More…

16

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign comes in at #16 in this year's ranking. Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public college with a very large student population. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, UIUC is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list.

The student loan default rate at UIUC is lower than is typical, just 0.6% of students default in three years. Approximately 35,475 students take at least one class online at UIUC. There are roughly 10,007 part time students in attendance at UIUC.

Full Communication & Journalism at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Report

17

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #17 spot in our 2021 best communication & journalism schools for non-traditional students. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public school with a very large student population. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UNC Chapel Hill also is in the top 5% of our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism ranking.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.9%. Approximately 6,990 students take at least one class online at UNC Chapel Hill. About 5,151 of the students at UNC Chapel Hill are attending part time.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

18

Our rankings recognize University of Missouri - Columbia as the #18 school in this year's rankings. Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, Mizzou is a public school with a fairly large student population. On top of its placing in our non-traditional rankings, Mizzou also did well on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list. It's in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

The student loan default rate at Mizzou is lower than is typical, just 0.7% of students default in three years. Approximately 15,161 students take at least one class online at Mizzou. About 5,276 of the students at Mizzou are attending part time.

Full Communication & Journalism at University of Missouri - Columbia Report

19
Emerson crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA

Our rankings recognize Emerson College as the #19 school in this year's rankings. Emerson is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Emerson also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list. It's in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

The student loan default rate at Emerson is lower than is typical, just 1.5% of students default in three years. 889 of Emerson students are exclusively distance learners. About 562 of the students at Emerson are attending part time.

Read More…

20

University of Oregon landed the #20 spot in our 2021 best communication & journalism schools for non-traditional students. UO is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. On top of its placing in our non-traditional rankings, UO also did well on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list. It's in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

About 1.0% of UO students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. Approximately 8,819 students take at least one class online at UO. There are roughly 1,683 part time students in attendance at UO.

Read More…

21

The #21 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of South Carolina - Columbia. UofSC is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Columbia. UofSC excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list.

About 1.6% of UofSC students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. There are approximately 16,608 students at UofSC that take at least one class online. 3,896 of UofSC students are attending part time.

Read More…

22

The #22 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Washington State University. Located in the town of Pullman, Wazzu is a public school with a fairly large student population. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Wazzu also is in the top 10% of our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism ranking.

The student loan default rate at Wazzu is lower than is typical, just 1.4% of students default in three years. 4,690 students at Wazzu are exclusively online. There are roughly 4,985 part time students in attendance at Wazzu.

Read More…

23
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

The #23 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of Florida. Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, UF is a public school with a very large student population. UF excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.9%. There are approximately 22,865 students at UF that take at least one class online. About 11,205 of the students at UF are attending part time.

Read More…

24
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

The #24 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Temple University. Temple is a fairly large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, Temple is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.3%. There are approximately 20,264 students at Temple that take at least one class online. There are roughly 4,634 part time students in attendance at Temple.

Full Communication & Journalism at Temple University Report

25

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities earned the #25 spot in our 2021 rankings. UMN Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the large city of Minneapolis. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UMN Twin Cities also is in the top 10% of our Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism ranking.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.6%. There are approximately 21,237 students at UMN Twin Cities that take at least one class online. 13,655 of UMN Twin Cities students are attending part time.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Rest of the Top Schools for Best Communication & Journalism Colleges for Non-Traditional Students

26
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
27
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
28
29
30
31
32

33

34
35
SUNY Oswego crest
SUNY Oswego
Oswego, NY
36
37
Duquesne crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
38
39
40
41
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

42

43
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
44
Gonzaga crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
45
46
47
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
48
49
50

Remaining Award Winners

This section shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Communication & Journalism Colleges for Non-Traditional Students badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 503 different United States communication & journalism schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
52 Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
53 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
54 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH
55 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH
56 Illinois State University Normal, IL
57 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
58 California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA
59 Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ
60 Villanova University Villanova, PA
61 Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL
62 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
63 University of North Texas Denton, TX
64 Pace University - New York New York, NY
65 SUNY Fredonia Fredonia, NY
66 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
67 University of Denver Denver, CO
68 Iowa State University Ames, IA
69 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
70 Wayne State University Detroit, MI
71 Fordham University Bronx, NY
72 University of Houston Houston, TX
73 Towson University Towson, MD
74 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
75 Suffolk University Boston, MA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Communication & Journalism Colleges for Non-Traditional Students award.

Rank College Location
76 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ
77 Cornell University Ithaca, NY
78 Chapman University Orange, CA
79 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
80 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
81 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
82 Creighton University Omaha, NE
83 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
84 St John’s University - New York Queens, NY
85 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
86 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
87 Baylor University Waco, TX
88 Marist College Poughkeepsie, NY
89 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
90 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
91 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
92 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
93 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
94 North Central College Naperville, IL
95 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
96 Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA
97 Canisius College Buffalo, NY
98 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
99 Bradley University Peoria, IL
100 Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA

Communication & Journalism by Region

View the best for non-traditional students Communication & Journalism schools in a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

Communication & Journalism Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*Avg Cost is for the top 25 schools only.

References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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