Most Affordable Online Communication Degree Programs

A bachelor’s program in communication emphasizes public speaking, writing, and critical thinking. With a communication degree, graduates can pursue diverse career paths. And many communication careers pay above-average salaries with strong projected job growth. The cost of a bachelor’s degree continues to rise.

However, online programs can give students a more affordable route to a college degree. Students enrolled in on-campus programs can easily spend over $100,000, while online programs can alleviate some on-campus fees. Many online programs offer tuition discounts for fully online learners. Students also benefit from the ability to compare programs across the country and choose the most affordable option. Degree-seekers can enroll at a top-ranked online school to earn their bachelor’s degrees. We rank the most affordable online bachelor’s in communication programs to help prospective learners find an option that fits their budget and career goals.

Online undergraduates typically pay $300-$500 per credit. That translates to an average $51,000 to earn a bachelor’s degree online. And the total cost also includes books, supplies, and fees.

Fortunately, degree-seekers can lower costs in several ways. First, choosing an affordable program can potentially cut the cost of a degree in half. Second, researching financial aid options such as grants and scholarships can provide savings. Finally, considering ways to limit expenses beyond tuition can help students save money. Look for lower-cost programs and factor in the savings from enrolling online instead of commuting to campus.

Degree-seekers can complete a bachelor’s degree online by earning a minimum of 120 credits, which typically takes four years for full-time students. In an online bachelor’s in communication program, majors take classes within the department along with general education courses and electives.

Majors choose between a BA or BS track. The BA option typically includes more humanities and foreign language courses, while the BS option incorporates more math and science classes. Distance learners can also pursue internship opportunities in their local area to gain hands-on experience.

Communication programs offer concentrations to prepare for specific career paths. Some of the most common concentrations include:

Successful online communication majors bring strong research, analytical, and writing skills to their programs. Learners also benefit from self-direction and organizational strengths. Programs connect online students with tutors and academic advisors who provide support throughout the degree.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Majors examine key concepts in communication, with an emphasis on subfields, methodologies, and theories. The course introduces debates and challenges in the field to prepare learners for further coursework.

Public speaking represents a key part of communication. Students learn how to choose and research topics, organize a speech, deliver material effectively, and adapt for different audiences. The class strengthens an in-demand, transferable skill.

The course introduces students to communication theories related to group communication and mass communication. Learners gain analytical tools to evaluate various forms of communication, which apply in upper-division courses.

Communication plays a central role in organizational success. Learners examine effective communication strategies and the goals of internal and external business communication. Topics include the role of communication in corporate culture, teamwork, and success.

Students explore public relations, branding, and social media strategy. Drawing on case studies, the course emphasizes communication skills and trains learners to create public relations materials.

Communication is one of the most popular online majors. And communication majors can pursue careers in several industries. Many work in the business, education, journalism, and nonprofit sectors. Within these fields, professionals specialize in areas like public relations, writing, marketing, and editing. A communication degree also prepares graduates for careers in sales or education.

Because communication majors work in so many roles, their earning potential varies. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, media and communication occupations reported a median salary of $62,340 per year in May 2021. This ranks above the median pay for all fields of $45,760. Media and communication professionals also benefit from faster than average projected job growth. The BLS projects the field will grow 14% between 2020 and 2030.

See where a bachelor’s in communication can take you. Learn more about communication career paths.

Technical writers create instructional content that helps non-technical users understand products and services. They write instruction manuals and other forms of technical documentation like how-to guides. Technical writers blend their communication skills with technical aptitude. The field requires the ability to communicate complex information in simple terms.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $78,060

Journalists inform the public about current events. They work in print, digital, and broadcast news, where they can specialize in political, international, sports, health, and other areas. Journalists interview people and interact with experts to write stories. They review pieces for accuracy and explore ideas for new stories.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $48,370

Public relations specialists help individuals and organizations build a positive public image. They create material to support their clients’ public persona, including press releases and social media programs. Public relations specialists also work with clients to communicate with the public, including by writing speeches and coordinating interviews. They research public perception and suggest strategies for improvement.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $62,800

Editors revise written material for publication. They also read submissions and assign articles to writers. As part of the editorial process, they verify facts, rewrite text, and ensure material follows style guidelines. Editors ensure that published material fits the publication’s style and editorial standards. They draw on strong communication skills to do their jobs.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $63,350

Career and technical education teachers educate high schoolers in vocational subjects, including technical communication, business communication, and journalism. They create lesson plans that instruct students on career-focused skills. CTE teachers also incorporate hands-on activities and demonstrations. Educators then assign grades.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $61,160

A bachelor’s in communication can lead to many career paths. After gaining professional experience, graduates often consider their next educational step. Some pursue voluntary certifications in areas like public relations or technical writing. A graduate degree can also help communication professionals advance their careers.

At the graduate level, students can earn an online master’s in communication. Depending on their field and career goals, learners might pursue a graduate degree in public relations, nonprofit management, journalism, or education. Communication majors can also consider professional programs like law school. The training during a communication degree, particularly the research and writing preparation, can benefit law students.

Online learners at accredited institutions can submit the FAFSA to qualify for federal student aid programs. For many students, federal aid represents a major part of financial aid planning. The Pell Grant, federal work-study programs, and federal student loans help many undergraduates pay for a bachelor’s degree.

Many students borrow to pay for college. Before taking out student loans, make sure you understand the different types of loans and your repayment options. Federal loans typically offer lower interest rates and provide more repayment options than private loans.

Online learners qualify for many college grants, including the federal Pell Grant. States and institutions also offer grants. When planning for college expenses, make sure to prioritize grants. Like scholarships, recipients do not need to repay grants, making them one of the best forms of financial aid.

Work-study programs connect qualifying students with work-study jobs. These jobs, typically offered on-campus or through nearby nonprofits, provide a paycheck that recipients use to cover educational expenses. Work-study programs can also help students gain hands-on experience.

Scholarships provide free money for college. Like grant recipients, scholarship recipients do not repay their awards. Private organizations, colleges, and nonprofits offer scholarships to support students. Make sure to research scholarship opportunities when putting together your financial plan for college.

Rankings compiled by the the BestColleges Ranking Team

Many prospective students wonder if the return on investment for a bachelor’s degree will justify the cost.

However, professionals with a bachelor’s degree benefit from higher salaries and lower unemployment numbers. Compared to someone with a high school diploma, a professional with a bachelor’s degree can earn more per year. And an affordable online bachelor’s in communication degree from an accredited college can help professionals increase their earning potential and move up the career ladder.

A bachelor’s degree in communication can lead to career opportunities in corporate communication, mass media, public relations, and sales. Communication majors also work as writers, editors, journalists, and teachers.

A communication degree emphasizes in-demand skills like critical analysis, effective communication, and public speaking. These skills may help professionals move into careers in human relations, speechwriting, and training and development.

Students earning a communication degree can gain industry-specific training by choosing electives, concentrations, and internships in their chosen field. In particular, an internship can help students build valuable career skills while expanding their professional network.

Communication majors benefit from strong demand. The BLS projects media and communication occupations will grow 14% from 2020-2030. Within the field, career paths like technical writer and public relations specialist are projected to grow rapidly.

Majors also pursue careers in business, sales, advertising, and fundraising. Strong communication skills, including written and speaking, help professionals stand out in these fields. By emphasizing these people skills, communication majors can move into many industries.

Professionals with a communication degree report above-average salaries, according to the BLS. For example, writers and editors report median salaries of around $63,000-$68,000 per year. This is significantly higher than the median wage for all occupations of $45,760.

Many other career paths report above-average salaries. According to the BLS, public relations specialists earned a median annual wage of $62,800 in May 2021. With experience, professionals typically see their earning potential increase. Keep in mind that salaries range widely depending on the industry and role. Location also plays a major role in earning potential.

Communication majors can increase their earning potential by pursuing certain career tracks. According to the BLS, the highest paying communication occupations include technical writer, writers and authors, and editors. Within those fields, the highest-paid professionals report even higher salaries. For example, the top-paid technical writers earned over $125,000 annually in May 2021.

Professionals with experience or a master’s degree can also move into higher-paying managerial roles. According to the BLS, public relations and fundraising managers earned a median salary of nearly $120,000 in May 2021. These career paths require a bachelor’s degree plus five or more years of experience.

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