Most Affordable Online Communications Degrees

Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Communications

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Learning how to effectively communicate through obtaining a bachelor’s in communication opens doors for many lucrative and stable careers.

Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Communications

You may think that you know how to communicate effectively since, after all, you’ve been doing it your entire life, but different audiences are receptive to different kinds of communication. A BA or BS in Communications degree program will dive deep into communication studies, so you know how best to deliver your message for yourself or the company in which you are employed. 

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

What Is an Online Bachelors in Communication? 

An online bachelor’s in communication will teach you more than just public speaking, although you will likely take public speaking classes. In a world increasingly connected through social media, and with more and more content added to the web daily, knowing how to effectively deliver your message through mass communication is more important than ever. 

With a communications degree, you will learn how to utilize mass media, print media, interpersonal communication, public speaking, and organizational communication, so your message can get out and be heard! 

How Much Can You Earn With an Online Bachelors in Communication?

An individual with an online BA or BS in Communication has opportunities to work in a wide range of fields. One of the most popular careers for graduates is a public relations specialist, who fosters and enhances the public image of individuals and companies, and brings home an average income of $60,000. 

If public relations doesn’t appeal to you, consider a career as an advertising and promotions manager, or a producer for a non-profit or for-profit business. Advertising managers earn an average salary of just under $120,000 per year, and producers bring home $71,680 as their median annual income. 

What Is Required to Attend an Online Bachelors in Communication Degree Program? 

When applying to an online BA or a BS in communications, schools are going to want proof that you have at least completed high school or its equivalent. Recent high school graduates may also have to submit their ACT or SAT scores to the college. 

The process for applying to an online degree program is similar across schools and educational institutions. Most schools require the submission of an application packet with a small application processing fee. Some schools may ask for a statement of purpose or a goals statement for what you wish to accomplish while pursuing an online bachelor’s in communications degree. 

What Are the Most Affordable Online Colleges?

OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program-specific. For school-wide, OSR uses student satisfaction, admission rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program-specific, OSR checks the median debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.

The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other U.S. institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the U.S. Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.

Let’s take a look at the 10 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Communications!

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Quick Facts

  • Net Price: $9,930
  • Six start dates each year
  • Top 10 online colleges in Texas in 2018 by The Best Schools
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

75%

Acceptance Rate

89%

Programs Offered Online

11

Median Debt

$13,678

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

3%

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Online from UTPB tops our list because of the program’s impressive combination of affordability and high-quality education. Classes for this program are held in eight-week intervals with the degree consisting of 39 credit hours of communication core studies. The school allows up to 90 credit hours of previous college coursework to be transferred. 

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Quick Facts

  • Net Price: $10,809
  • Greater than 90 student organizations
  • Internship opportunities
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

76%

Programs Offered Online

4

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

1%

The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith offers a Bachelor of Art in Media Communications that will give you all the skills needed to get the media job you really want. The online program offers both hands-on experiences producing digital media and the opportunity to engage in research. Graduates of this online communications degree have gone on to work in television and as communication managers for local companies. 

Columbus State University

Columbus State University

Quick Facts

  • Net Price: $11,334
  • Gold designated Military Friendly Program
  • No. 78 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities by College Consensus
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

76%

Acceptance Rate

53%

Programs Offered Online

7

Median Debt

$27,519

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

6%

If you’re looking to dive deep into communication theories and eventually pursue graduate education, then the BA in Communication from CSU should be on your list of considerations. The online degree is 123 credit hours in duration, which can be completed in four years. The program also requires its students to take two foreign language courses.

West Virginia University

West Virginia University

Quick Facts

  • Net Price: $11,486
  • High School ACCESS Program
  • Greater than 500 scholarships awarded annually
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

76%

Acceptance Rate

72%

Programs Offered Online

8

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

7%

The BA in Communication Studies offered by WVU is a good option for students that are looking to specialize their studies. The online degree program offers five areas of concentration, including examples such as Integrated Communication, Social Media, and Communication Technology. You can also earn college credit through the school’s internship program. 

University of Utah

University of Utah

Quick Facts

  • Net Price: $12,363
  • No. 63 best university in the nation by Washington Monthly
  • No. 139 best university in the world by U.S. News & World Report
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

75%

Acceptance Rate

66%

Programs Offered Online

113

Median Debt

$18,869

Programs in Department

3

Popularity at School

7%

Students at U of U can pursue either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in one of the degree’s four concentrations. The concentrations include Strategic Communication, Journalism, Communication Studies, or Science, Health, Environmental, and Risk Communication. To be admitted into this program, students are expected to have completed at least nine hours of study at U of U while maintaining at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA. 

Granite State College

Granite State College

Quick Facts

  • Net Price: $12,905
  • Ranked one of the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News & World Report
  • Regionally accredited by New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

59%

Programs Offered Online

32

Median Debt

$23,398

Programs in Department

2

Popularity at School

1%

By accepting all of your previously earned credits, Granite State College offers an easy transition for those that hold an associate degree into their BS in Communication Studies. This online degree will teach you marketing principles and social media communication strategies that you can implement on day one of your new job. The degree is 120 credit hours, and students must complete at least 30 credit hours at GSC to receive their degree. 

University of West Alabama

University of West Alabama

Quick Facts

  • Net Price: $13,326
  • More than 2,000 online students
  • Eight-week course lengths
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

78%

Acceptance Rate

28%

Programs Offered Online

13

Median Debt

$24,068

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

4%

University of West Alabama’s BS or BA in Integrated Marketing Communication students will gain hands-on experience creating new media content using a wide variety of mediums. This degree is designed to teach students communication skills, marketing, and social media. There are two available tracks to follow while pursuing this degree, which includes Graphic Design and Sports Communication, with each track consisting of 59 credit hours of coursework. 

Arkansas State University-Main Campus

Arkansas State University-Main Campus

Quick Facts

  • Net Price: $13,420
  • Ranked in America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report
  • No. 1 Best Online College in Arkansas by Best Colleges
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

75%

Acceptance Rate

66%

Programs Offered Online

11

Median Debt

$24,557

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

4%

The BA in Communication Studies from A-State may be the perfect degree for those seeking to double major in criminology, political science, or sociology. The program’s core curriculum consists of 21 credit hours in subjects such as conflict resolution and principles of persuasion. The program has multiple start dates throughout the year, and classes are held in seven-week modules in the spring and fall, but are five-weeks in duration in the summer. 

University of Minnesota-Crookston

University of Minnesota-Crookston

Quick Facts

  • Net Price: $13,962
  • Ranked one of the best colleges by U.S. News & World Report
  • Ranked one of the top baccalaureate colleges in the U.S. by the Washington Monthly
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

72%

Acceptance Rate

69%

Programs Offered Online

13

Median Debt

$20,854

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

4%

Teaching students to become a communication professional is what the BS in Communication from UMN Crookston is all about. This degree offers three concentration areas to choose from: General Communication Studies, Organizational Communications/Public Relations, and Writing. The instructors who teach these classes provide individualized attention and mentorship to students in the communication major. 

Eastern Illinois University

Quick Facts

  • Net Price: $14,107
  • 13:1 Student-to-faculty ratio
  • Average class size of 14
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

52%

Programs Offered Online

6

Median Debt

$25,598

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

9%

The BA in Communications Studies offered by EIU is a degree completion program designed for adults who want to complete their bachelor’s degree while simultaneously enhancing their professional communication skills. The program offers a concentration in Communications in Organizations. This degree has a core communications curriculum consisting of 34 credit hours, and requires students to take an additional 12 credit hours in their concentration.

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.