Maybe you have a way with words and a knack for storytelling or you’re interested in media and the role of broadcasting in our lives. You might be a social media whiz who can spin a yarn in a concise way that gets views and goes viral. No matter what your personal story may be, an online bachelor’s degree in communications can help you turn these skills and interests into a career you love – all without the need to step foot on campus.
But first, you need to find the right school and program. To help, we’ve compiled the following list of top-rated programs based on the characteristics students care about most, including curriculum quality, affordability, and tailored learning experiences and support that put students’ needs first. Learn more about the best online bachelor’s in communications degree programs and how they can give you the opportunity to earn your degree your way.
- Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Assign Weightings
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
- For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
- Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
- Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
- Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
- Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
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Tucson, AZPublic $$$
Those wanting to understand the science behind communication should consider the bachelor of arts in communication from the University of Arizona. In this fully online program, students can explore various communication fields, such as public relations, sports journalism, or broadcast journalism. It’s important to note that this program is broad and does not specialize in a particular field. The program also includes many foundational courses and introduces students to new technologies in the field. Along with a fully online curriculum, the University of Arizona also offers students online academic and career development resources so they can ace their classes and prepare for their professional future from the comfort of their own home. Students can also choose between two bachelor degrees from the communication department: a general degree in communications or a global media degree, which has more of an emphasis on international communications.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $500 per credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Bachelor of Arts in Global Media
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $500 per credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
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University Park, PAPublic $$$$
Pennsylvania State University offers three 100% online degrees in communication: a bachelor of science in organizational and professional communication, a bachelor of arts in organizational and professional communication, and a master of professional studies in strategic communication. No matter which degree a student chooses, they will receive world-class education that suits their schedule. The online format offers increased flexibility, though classes are still synchronous and require in-class participation. By the end of one of the two bachelors, students will be ready to enter the communication field. By the end of the masters, students can advance their career or make a career change into the communication industry. For the masters, an undergraduate degree is required, though it doesn’t have to be in communication.
Program Highlights:
Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Communication
- Credits: 30
- Length: 1 year
- Cost: $1,007 per credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Professional Communication
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $620 per credit in-state | $664 per credit out-of-state
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Bachelor of Arts in Organizational and Professional Communication
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $620 per credit in-state | $664 per credit out-of-state
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
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Moscow, IDPublic $$
The University of Idaho has two great options for those wanting to get their undergraduate degree in communications: a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science. The main difference between the two is the general education requirements. Beyond that difference, both degrees offer the same comprehensive introduction to the field and give students a multidisciplinary approach to communications. The curriculum focuses on communication from the individual, societal, and cultural perspectives. Both degrees can be completed 100% online and there are virtual academic and professional resources available too. A great perk of attending the University of Idaho’s online campus is that all online students pay in-state tuition, regardless of what state they claim residency in.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science in Communication
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: 208.50 per credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: 208.50 per credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
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Jonesboro, ARPublic $$
Arkansas State University offers an ideal program for those interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communication with maximum flexibility. To accommodate a wide variety of schedules, all classes are offered online, though they are synchronous. The program also accepts up to ninety transfer credits, which could allow students to graduate from the program in two years. For students without transfer credits, the program takes about four years and all of it can be completed online. The classes cover a wide range of communication niches including content management, written and oral communication, social media management, public relations, and technical communication. By the end, students will be ready to jumpstart a career in communications.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
- Credits: 120
- Length: 2-4 years
- Cost: $269 per credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
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Columbia, MOPublic $$
Those looking for an affordable, high-quality communication program that is fully online should check out the program from the University of Missouri. Along with being fully online, classes are offered at times which accommodate a typical work schedule and students can complete the program without ever setting foot on campus. It’s also a great program for transfer students, as the school has professionals devoted to making sure transfer students acclimate to the program and are able to graduate on time (usually within two years of transferring). It’s important to note this program is a general communications program with few opportunities to specialize in a specific type of communication, such as journalism or public relations. After getting this broad, foundational degree, students will be prepared to work as a communications professional or get their master’s in the field.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Arts
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $439.41 per credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
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Odessa, TXPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Boise, IDPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
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Billings, MTPublic $
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
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Valley City, NDPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
-
Lawrence, KSPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
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Springfield, ILPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
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Greeley, COPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
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Portland, MEPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
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Tampa, FLPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
22/1
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Macomb, ILPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
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Kingston, RIPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
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Lewiston, IDPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
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Baton Rouge, LAPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
22/1
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Charlotte, NCPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
20/1
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Boone, NCPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
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Oswego, NYPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
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Greenville, NCPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
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Miami, FLPublic $
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
25/1
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Lubbock, TXPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
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Akron, OHPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
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Morgantown, WVPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
21/1
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Memphis, TNPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
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Highland Heights, KYPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
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Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profit $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
21/1
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Fairbanks, AKPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
11/1
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Springfield, MOPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
20/1
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Cedar City, UTPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
23/1
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Toledo, OHPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
21/1
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Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profit $$$$$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
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Louisville, KYPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
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La Grande, ORPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
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Missoula, MTPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
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Grand Forks, NDPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
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Cincinnati, OHPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
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Clinton, MSPrivate not-for-profit $$$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
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Columbus, GAPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
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Athens, OHPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
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Irving, TXPrivate for-profit $$$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
6/1
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Pullman, WAPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
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Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
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Howell, MIPrivate not-for-profit $$$$$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
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Nacogdoches, TXPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
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Durant, OKPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
24/1
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Crookston, MNPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
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Saint Charles, MOPrivate not-for-profit $$$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
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Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
Affordability
Support Services
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2024
Skills You’ll Gain from an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Communications
When looking for online bachelor’s degrees in communications, you’ll want to focus on schools that have the right accreditation. To get this stamp of approval, schools and programs must demonstrate that students graduate with the marketable skills demanded by employers. Accredited schools are required to meet specific standards, including offering coursework that leads to specific learning outcomes. Although you’ll find that the curriculum at schools may differ, the following learning outcomes will give you a good idea of what you can expect a quality bachelor’s in communications program to deliver.
Writing Skills
No matter what career you choose, writing skills are going to be an integral part of your success. An online bachelor’s degree in communications can help you develop strong writing skills in different areas, including news, academic, and essay writing. Through these programs, students learn how to write in a clear, convincing, concise, and logical way so they have the ability to make a strong argument backed up by facts and evidence. In addition, you’ll learn how to write prose that draws in readers and elicits a response.
Public Speaking Skills
Strong public speaking skills are a huge part of many jobs nowadays, but speaking in public still makes people uncomfortable—so much so, in fact, that studies have found that some people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of dying. A bachelor’s degree in communications online not only will help you alleviate any anxiety you have about speaking in public, but it will also give you the skills that build confidence, including research, organization, and argumentation skills.
Research Skills
As a professional communicator, research is at the heart of everything you do. During your communications degree program, you’ll learn how to conduct thorough research, find the most relevant information for the task at hand, judge sources for their credibility, and read academic research to understand how the study was conducted and the bigger implications of its findings. Coursework will also help you determine how to incorporate research into the writing or oral presentations you’re working on.
Persuasion Skills
Whether you’re writing an op-ed piece or giving a presentation, you need strong persuasion skills to convince your audience of the point you’re making. Online bachelor’s degrees in communications offer coursework that allow you to understand the anatomy of a strong argument and how to form and present your own argument.
Common Courses in Online Bachelor’s in Communications Degree Programs
Before enrolling in any online bachelor’s degree in communications program, you need to know what you’re signing up for and if the degree is going to help you get to where you want to go in your career. One way to ensure that a school is the right choice is to look at the curriculum offered and determine how it teaches the skills employers expect you to have. The following is a sample of the coursework you may be expected to take in these programs.
Mass Media and Broadcasting
From the printing press to the internet and all forms of communicating news and information in between, mass media has had a huge influence on our lives. This course looks at the different types of mass media and broadcasting channels that have developed throughout history, the impact these channels have had on society, and the laws and regulations designed to rein them in from doing harm. In this class, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your writing, persuasion, and public speaking skills by looking at the best practices in each of the mass media categories.
Nonverbal Communication
Although we usually think of communication in terms of what we do say, what we don’t say can convey a great deal of information that brings context to our verbal messages. In this course, you’ll learn the different types of nonverbal communication, which includes the use of space, touch, and voice to convey a message. These skills will help you build your ability to persuade people and enhance your public speaking.
Digital Storytelling
In recent years, we have watched the way we communicate change in real time thanks to digital spaces. This course is designed to help you enhance your persuasion and writing skills by teaching you how to create digital content that gets attention from a target audience and keeps it. Topics covered may include online citizen journalism, vlogging, blogging, and social media content.
Research Methods
In this class, you will sharpen your research skills by learning how academic and journalistic research is conducted. You may be taught about qualitative and quantitative research methods, research design, and the theories about research that are used in different professional contexts.
Public Relations
A public relations class will teach you how organizations interact with the community and the legal and ethical standards they are expected to adhere to when they have these interactions. This knowledge can help you enhance your persuasion and writing skills as you learn the methods that organizations use to communicate with the public, the theories behind what they do, and the strategies that make for a successful public relations campaign.
Organizational Communication
This course teaches the theories and processes of organizational communication that can be applied to any workplace you find yourself in. This class will help you sharpen your writing and research skills as you learn theories about organizational cultures, leadership, teamwork, conflict management, and ethics. The course may discuss challenges that specific organizations have faced, and provide information on how leadership was able to overcome them.
FAQs About Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Communications
As you consider different online bachelor’s degree programs in communications, you’ll most likely have a lot of questions you need answers to as you decide what kind of program is the best choice for you. Get detailed answers to some of the most pressing questions you and other prospective students care about most.
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Are online bachelor’s degrees in communications offered fully online?
Plenty of colleges offer online bachelor’s degrees in communications that can be earned completely online. They may provide coursework in a format known as asynchronous, meaning that not only can you take your classes online, but you can also complete coursework during times that are most convenient for you.
In other cases, there may be classes that adhere to a schedule, so just like traditional students in a real classroom, you’ll be expected to attend classes on a specific day and at a set time online. This is called synchronous learning. Schools offering online degree programs may offer a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning, while other schools may provide a hybrid program in which some courses are taught online, while others are provided on campus.
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What careers are open to bachelor’s degree in communications grads?
A bachelor’s degree in communications online can prepare you for a variety of jobs that require the writing, research, and persuasion skills you will master in the program. The following are examples of the careers you can pursue after graduation:
- Journalist
- Editor
- Communication Specialist
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Public Relations Manager
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What accreditation should I look for in an online bachelor’s communications degree program?
Accreditation is how schools prove that they offer the quality education students deserve. As a result, it’s important to only look for schools that are accredited when researching online bachelor’s degrees in communications. Many four-year colleges and universities are accredited by regional accrediting bodies which are the New England Commission of Higher Education, the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Depending on which field you wish to pursue after graduation, you may also want to look for a communications program that has been accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.
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What is the admissions process like for a bachelor’s in communications?
Each school has its own process and standards for admissions, so be sure you know exactly what’s expected from the schools you’re interested in. However, to be admitted into an online bachelor’s degree in communications, you’ll typically be expected to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Also, while a minimum grade point average of 2.50 may be required at some schools, for other schools, the GPA requirements are higher. Additionally some schools may want you to take the SAT or ACT exam and score within a certain range, though some online programs don’t have this requirement.
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How much does an online bachelor’s degree in communications cost?
Online bachelor’s degrees in communications are often an affordable choice because students don’t have to travel to campus on a regular basis. Also, some schools may charge the same per credit for online degree programs whether a student is in-state or out-of-state. The amount that you’ll be charged depends on the school you attend. For example, the cost per quarter credit hour at Purdue University Global is $371, while Southern New Hampshire University charges $320 per credit, and Eastern Oregon University charges $278 per credit.
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How long are bachelor’s degrees in communications?
The amount of time it takes to earn your online bachelor’s degree in communications depends on whether you enroll on a full-time or part-time basis. As a full-time student, you can expect to complete your degree in about four years. If you’re enrolled on a part-time basis, it can take about five to six years to complete.
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How can I specialize my bachelor’s degree in communications?
Are you interested in focusing your career on a specific area of communications? Some schools may allow you to choose a specific concentration so you can gain expertise in that topic and better position yourself when it’s time to compete for jobs. The following are examples of some specializations you may find in an online bachelor’s degree in communications:
- Public Relations
- Business Communication
- Writing
- Graphic Communication
- Film and Video Production
Earnings and Job Demand for Your Bachelor’s Degree in Communications
Everyone wants to know that when they earn a degree, they’ll get a return on their investment. When you finish an online degree in communications, there are numerous career options you can explore. The following are some examples of the jobs you can pursue when you earn this degree, as well as the expected growth of these positions and the salaries professionals earn.
| Career | Median Annual Earnings (2021) | Job Growth (2020-2030) |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers | $119,860 | 8% |
| Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers | $133,380 | 10% |
| Editors | $63,350 | -5% |
| Technical Writers | $78,060 | 6% |
| Journalists | $48,370 | -9% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics