According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations for media and communications professionals in the United States are projected to grow steadily through 2031. Plus, the pay for these professions is higher than the national median salary. In this ranking, we examine the best value colleges for online communication degree programs.
Communications is an incredibly versatile major. It combines traditional studies with practical, modern career applications. Students can focus on liberal arts topics – like English, creative writing, and psychology – while in school. Once out in the real world, those learned skills will translate into lucrative communication careers. Graduates routinely find work in public relations, advertising, marketing, corporate communications, the media, education. and more! If this sounds like an appealing option to you, you might want to consider earning your communications degree online. For an affordable price, you can get the education you want through a communications program that imposes minimal disruptions on your daily life. For adult students with regular jobs and families, this kind of flexibility is especially important. These 10 top value schools are sensitive to the needs of nontraditional students. Their undergraduate programs blend the best aspects of on-campus study with the most convenient features of online learning.
Featured Programs
Ranking the Best Degrees Online in Communication
9. Post University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Media Studies
The online degree in communication at Post University offers two career-focused concentrations for working professionals:
- Media Arts
- Organizational Communications
The former is a great choice for students hoping to touch on media communication skills, including photography, video, media writing, or web design. The latter communication curriculum focuses on the professional communication necessary to pursue careers in public relations, marketing, and social media. Both have a strong emphasis on the same skills: contemporary technical communication and critical thinking skills. This ensures that Post’s affordable online bachelor’s in communication degree will remain relevant to public relations specialist job opportunities and other media and communication occupations for years after graduation. One important note: This online bachelor’s program takes five years to complete, so you might want to look at other schools if you need an accelerated online format. Financial aid may be available for prospective students considering an online course of study.
Tuition: $16,610
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7. University of Houston-Victoria
Online Undergraduate Program: Communication
If you want to improve your public speaking and presentation skills while pursuing your communication degree online, check out the University of Houston-Victoria. The school’s online bachelor’s degree strongly emphasizes applied communication and oral communication skills. It even encourages its students to join Toastmasters to learn advanced communication strategies! UHV’s bachelor’s degree in communications features a broad range of core curriculum coursework. This includes history, political science, math, creative arts, and even psychology. There are also several specialty elective courses within the Communications department designed to facilitate strong communication skills. Online courses for the communication core include:
- Introduction to Communication Theory
- Intercultural Communication
- New Media Theory
- Communication Research Methods
Admission requirements for this communication degree online include just a high school diploma. Many students attending the online campus gain professional experience through part-time jobs or internship opportunities.
Tuition: $7,499
6. Oral Roberts University
Online Bachelor’s in Communication Degree
It’s important to note that the communications degree at Oral Roberts University includes a strong theological component. As a communication major at the Tulsa-based Christian university, your program requirements will include:
- Spirit-Empowered Learning
- Christian Worldview and Culture
- Old and New Testament Literature
Students who are on board with that focus will find ORU’s coursework broad and varied. Communication courses for the online bachelor’s in communication program include:
- Discussion and Conference Leadership
- Argumentation and Persuasion
- Advanced Public Speaking
- Business Writing
There is also a three-credit communications internship required for this bachelor’s in communication program. This experiential learning component can earn communications graduates valuable real-world experience to help them meet their career goals.
Tuition: $31,558
5. Bellevue University
Online Communication Studies Degree
The affordable online communication degree at Bellevue University features a strong set of basic courses for students interested in communications. This includes classes in:
- Oral Communications
- Critical Thinking
- Digital Communication
- Communication Technologies
A wide variety of electives are also available through this accredited institution’s online program. No matter their interests, communications students should find classes that spark their curiosity. Subjects include everything from Interviewing to Health Communication Campaigns. The school offers five competency courses, including Corporate Communication and Perspectives of Human Communications (with a focus on gender and psychology). In addition, all Bellevue University students must complete the school’s “Kirkpatrick Signature Series” to earn their bachelor’s in communication. This is a set of three online classes focusing on American values and democracy. Online tutoring may be available.
Tuition: $8,310
4. Mississippi College
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Communication (Accelerated)
Mississippi College’s degree in communication is a fast-track “Accelerated Degree” program. This online degree program enables students to take up to 12 hours per semester during two eight-week sessions. The innovative school’s online communications degree is available in both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science communication programs. Like those at Oral Roberts University, all MC students take Bible courses (six hours in either the Old or New Testament) in addition to learning how to communicate effectively. To earn an online BA, distance learners must fulfill an extra language requirement. Both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science online programs include core courses in:
- Digital Journalism
- Theater
- Negotiation
- Business Communication
- Interpersonal and Public Communication
A variety of student services are available to online students. Admission requirements may vary.
Tuition: $20,364
3. University of Minnesota at Crookston
Online Communication BS
Aspiring technical writers and other communications professionals pursuing online communication programs at the University of Minnesota at Crookston choose between three different emphasis areas:
- Communication Studies
- Organizational Communication/Public Relations
- Technical Writing
The communication studies track is the most general in terms of knowledge gained. Many students on this higher education track choose to incorporate classes from other departments into their coursework. Organizational Communication and Public Relations students receive a business world-focused education. Here, students learn concepts applicable to professional settings. These online classes include:
- Event Planning
- Crisis Communication
- Public Relations
Electives for these communications programs include courses in publication design and corporate training. UM’s Writing concentration provides a strong base in written communication skills like grammar, editing, and other writing abilities. It even offers an Introduction to Creative Writing Skills elective for those hoping to flex their literary muscles.
Tuition: $12,514
2. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin’s Bachelor’s in Communication program is the least expensive of the online communications programs on this list. Plus, it has some of the most flexible scheduling when it comes to undergraduate programs. The school offers eight-week advanced training courses that enable communication majors to earn an online degree in as little as a year. There are also six flexible start times through the year. The pace is fast. Still, students who earn their communications degrees online at UT of the Permian Basin still get a solid foundation through general education courses. This means you’ll take classes in political science, mathematics, and creative arts alongside your major-specific studies. The school recommends that communication majors also work toward a minor, although you aren’t required to do so.
Tuition: $8,806
1. University of North Dakota
Online Communication Bachelor’s Degree
The University of North Dakota has the best online communications program. This is because it offers a fully online traditional four-year bachelor’s degree at a great price. The school’s wide-ranging coursework for the communications major covers almost every conceivable subject in effective communication, including graphic communication, mass communication, political communication, new media communication, social media strategies, and more. Highlights of the communication studies program include:
- Media and Diversity
- Popular Culture
- Persuasion
- Social Media Communication & Strategy
- Media History
UND’s communication program also enables full-time students to focus on either Strategic Communication or Journalism. With three sessions a year, no on-campus courses, and in-state tuition for online students, the Bachelor of Arts at UND is definitely worth a close look. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the university’s online bachelor’s programs among some of the best in the nation.
Tuition: $10,596
This concludes our ranking of the top 9 values in online communication degrees.
See our methodology page for more information about how we calculated this ranking.
Sources
By CVO Staff