An online bachelor's in communications develops skills in media, public relations, and digital content creation for diverse career paths. Courses cover media ethics, strategic communication, and audience engagement with real-world applications. By choosing one of the cheapest online communication degrees, you can gain the expertise to navigate the evolving communications landscape effectively.
Key Takeaways:
- Eastern New Mexico University is the #1 most affordable communications degree, with tuition at $6,174.
- The University of Arkansas achieves the top spot for median graduate earnings at $52,795 for communications majors.
We manually verify tuition rates to identify the most affordable online communications bachelor's programs. Every listed school is accredited, offers 100% online programs, and provides upfront cost details. See our methodology page for more details
2025 Most Affordable Online Communications Degrees
Overview of Online Communications Bachelor's Degrees
A communications bachelor's degree is designed to prepare graduates for a wide range of careers in business and other industries. Equipped with the knowledge and skills you'll acquire by completing a program, you can pursue a career in marketing, public relations, news media, and more.
When you enroll in a communications program, you'll find yourself taking an interdisciplinary mix of courses in writing and media, as well as sociology, psychology, and other relevant disciplines. Simulated real-world projects will help you master essential technical skills, including the ability to craft persuasive messages, run effective social media campaigns, and develop websites and apps. In the process, you'll develop soft skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.
An online communications bachelor's degree typically requires the completion of 120 credit hours. While some full-time students fulfill the graduation requirements in four to five years, part-time students may need an additional year or two.
Generally speaking, you need to have earned a high school diploma or the equivalent to be accepted into a college or university. You'll need to submit your high school transcripts along with other materials when you apply for college. If it's a competitive school, you may need to meet additional requirements for a high GPA, community service, extracurricular activities, and more.
Common Courses
The curriculum of an online communications degree program gives you a thorough understanding of the techniques, tools, and strategies used for effective communication. Nearly all bachelor's programs require a capstone project, and some also require an internship in the communications field.
Some of the specific core courses often found in an online communications bachelor's degree program include:
Digital Media
This course introduces students to the technologies and methodologies of developing and producing digital content. They'll gain hands-on experience in creating multimedia content suitable for online platforms.
Organizational Communication
Delving into communication within organizations, students discover how information flows within a company and how to improve and streamline internal communications.
Communication Research Methods
Often the capstone of a bachelor's program, this course provides students with an understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods specific to the communication industry. The purpose of this course is to teach students how to make informed decisions based on data.
Are you thinking about a career that involves writing? You may also be interested in one of the best online writing programs or one of the most affordable journalism programs.
Funding an Online Communications Degree
One of the biggest concerns for most prospective college students is cost. The grand total for an online communications degree varies dramatically, but you can start estimating the cost by looking at some figures compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). After studying tuition and fees for bachelor's programs across the country in the 2020-21 school year, the NCES determined that the was $12,394 at public colleges and $26,621 at private colleges. To get a rough estimate of the total tuition and fees — which is the majority of the cost of a college degree — multiply these figures by four or five years.
Another major concern is how you're going to pay for a bachelor's degree in communications. You probably have several sources of funding available, such as income, savings, and monetary gifts. You may also qualify for financial aid, discussed in more detail below.
Of course, much like negotiating around the "sticker price" of a car at a dealership, there are steps you can take to minimize the cost of a degree and save money on college. One clear choice is to opt for an affordable online communications degree like those listed above. Many schools feature reduced tuition rates for online students, and attending college remotely also eliminates room and board fees and transportation costs.
Other cost-saving measures include selecting a public school instead of a private one, as suggested by the data from the NCES. You could also work at a part-time or full-time job and use your income for tuition and other expenses. Finally, you may want to consider completing your first two years of lower-division courses at a community college, which is probably far less expensive than a four-year school. Later, you can transfer the credits you've earned to a four-year university where you'll complete the requirements for a bachelor's degree.
Financial Aid
Many traditional and online students rely on financial aid as a major source of funding for a bachelor's degree. To apply for most types of aid, fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid officers will then determine whether you qualify for financial assistance and, if so, how much aid you'll receive. Keep in mind, however, that you must be enrolled in an accredited college to qualify.
Among the most common types of financial aid are grants and scholarships. Most of these are funded by the schools and by the federal and state governments. These types of aid are ideal because you don't have to pay them back when you graduate.
However, depending on your financial circumstances, you may not qualify for enough grants and scholarships to cover the full cost of a bachelor's degree. In this case, you may be offered a student loan, but the loan interest will add a significant amount to the final cost of a degree. If you want to figure out the total cost of a loan before accepting one, use our student loan repayment calculator. You may also want to compare federal student loans to private student loans, as private loans often involve higher interest rates.
If you're willing to invest a bit more time and effort, you may also land a few private scholarships. Community and civic organizations, corporations, and nonprofits often fund scholarships to encourage specific types of students to pursue degrees. With this in mind, awards are determined by factors like your academic achievements, community service, family heritage, or career goals.
What Can You Do With an Online Communications Degree?
One of the best things about a communications degree is its versatility, as it can lead to a wide range of communications career choices. This degree paves the way for many types of roles in marketing, public relations, sales, corporate communications, human resources, and beyond. You'll probably need to start with an entry-level position, but your degree will make you a more attractive job candidate.
Marketing is one of the more popular destinations for communications graduates, so you may want to begin as a marketing specialist. You may work with print or digital media, or both, preparing persuasive messages for well-defined audiences. Marketing specialists and marketing research analysts earn a median annual salary of , and demand for these professionals is expected to grow by 11% through 2031.
Public relations is another common career choice for communications majors, and many younger graduates look for positions as public relations specialists. In this role, you'll work for a for-profit or nonprofit organization, where you'll write and develop many types of messages for various audiences. The median annual salary for public relations specialists is , and job openings are projected to increase by 8%-10% throughout this decade.
If you're interested in news media, you could also consider going into journalism or broadcast journalism, using both written and verbal communication skills to collect and share information with the public. The median salary for news analysts, reporters, and journalists is . Although the number of job openings is expected to decline by 2% over the next decade, there will still be close to 5,000 positions.
At some point in the future, you may decide to enhance your professional credentials with a graduate degree. Online communications master's degree programs often allow you to zero in on one particular aspect of the field, enabling you to develop valuable expertise and advanced skills. A master's degree may open doors to higher-paying positions. You may also want to pursue a PhD in communications to prepare for careers in academia and research.
You'll find plenty of options for an advanced degree on our lists of the best online master's in communications programs and the most affordable master's in communications programs.
FAQs About Online Communications Degrees
How Do I Choose a Bachelor's in Communications?
Deciding which online communications degree program to enroll in is a personal choice based on quite a few characteristics. Some of these factors — such as cost, curriculum, student services, and financial aid — may be more important to you than others.
One thing you want to make sure of, however, is that the school you choose has earned institutional accreditation. This is required for you to qualify for financial aid and to gain acceptance into a master's program. All of the schools on our list of the most affordable bachelor's in communications degrees and throughout our site are institutionally accredited. You may also want to look for a program that has earned program-level accreditation from the (ACEJMC).
How Much Does It Cost To Get a Bachelor's in Communications Degree?
The cost of earning a bachelor's in communications degree varies widely. To give you a ballpark estimate, however, the College Board found that the is $10,940 at a public four-year college for in-state students in the 2022-23 school year and $39,400 for a private four-year college. By adding in the average annual cost of room, board, books, and supplies, the annual cost totals $24,290 per year at a public university and $54,670 per year at a private one.
Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the cost of earning a bachelor's degree, which may include choosing an affordable online communications degree like those listed above. Online learning also eliminates room and board fees, as well as transportation expenses.
What Are the Different Types of Communications Degrees?
There is quite a lot of variation among communications degree programs. Some programs are slightly slanted toward a particular aspect of communication, while others offer elective courses in specific subjects so you can customize your degree to fit your career goals.
In general, specializations in communications degrees can be grouped into categories such as journalism and broadcasting; advertising, public relations, and digital communications; interpersonal communication; and writing and editing.
Is a Communications Degree Worth It?
Deciding whether an online bachelor's degree in communications is worth it depends upon your priorities and career aspirations. However, this versatile degree prepares you for a number of occupations with respectable salaries. What's more, you may be able to work your way up to higher-paying management positions in this field with only a bachelor's degree.
Of course, given the high cost of earning a degree, you'll want to maximize your return on the investment. Perhaps the best way to achieve that is to minimize the cost by opting for an online communications degree and taking other cost-conscious steps.
Student Reviews of Online Communications Programs
Full Sail offers so many varieties of programs to help you through your journey. Even after graduation I am still allotted to access websites, programs and continued learning. I enjoyed my time at full Sail University and I recommend anyone who wants to make a change in their life and have help and guidance along the way go to Full Sail University. They make dreams come true
Review Date: 8/30/2024
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I decided to return to college for the third attempt since High School in 1986. I started looking at online universities on the computer one day and a co-worker informed me of King University where her husband graduated. She advised me that King University is a wonderful university for adults that are working all the time and it has classes online which makes it easier for the adults working schedule. I informed her I would call and get some information regarding the university and if it can work... Read More
Review Date: 7/16/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I have an academic advisor and a mentor( The mentor is something that the school itself came up with, and that's been very beneficial so far). Overall my courses are pretty informational. The professors really care about what they're teaching, and they make sure that the students are really learning as well.
Review Date: 2/15/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I decided to join the Communication program at King University with a slightly hesitant attitude. I wondered if it would really help me in my career. I am now preparing to walk away with a more concrete career path, understanding of my passions and a refined skillset. The Communication professors at King were attentive to every message I sent and were intentional in helping me apply my course work to my career. Dr. Sloan, the program director holds the tension well of being gracious, kind and supportive... Read More
Review Date: 10/15/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I started off a 30 something year old single mother with little to no job or educational background. I wanted to be able to complete something so important, will giving me something "to do" and get me learning more. I knew a degree would heighten my chances of finding a suitable career that I could use to boost my earnings and life in general. I studied Communications because I still was not sure which direction I wanted to go in. I still am not sure but as I approach graduation, I am thankful for... Read More
Review Date: 6/29/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
My time at King University has been difficult, but very manageable. I once heard a friend say that her friends do not like King for various reasons. With that input in mind, I took a chance with King University. As part of my first semester at King, I am currently enrolled in an online B.S. in Communications program. It is great for any student looking into a Communications-based career. It gives me the freedom to work a job five days a week and still manage my classes. I will admit, in one of my... Read More
Review Date: 3/29/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
My experience in King University’s online Communication program has been nothing but positive. When I chose to finish my degree online, I was afraid I would be sacrificing the quality of my education for the flexibility of an online degree. However, through King I was able to get my degree while working full time and never felt like I was missing out on a quality education. Classes are in 5-week terms, which seemed stressful at first, but I came to really enjoy. It allows you to focus completely... Read More
Review Date: 10/20/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
This university has been nothing short of a disappointment in the 2 semesters that I have attended here. I resumed my college process through Bellevue University in order to maintain my day job, and attend classes online when it worked for me. My ID card was a literal piece of paper that has already begun to fade with limited, and I mean, limited usage. In addition, financial aid is less than adequate. I got my financial aid package before the summer semester started, and I had used this information... Read More
Review Date: 6/24/2020
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
King University can offer more than just a degree. Since attending, King has presented me with many opportunities to learn new skills and refine older ones. When beginning the program, I thought that I was going to be spending the next year and a half relearning old material, but I was very mistaken. The first course I took, Public Relations, impressed me greatly. In the first week, the instructor had taught us how to create a professional Press Release; it was very exciting to learn a skill that... Read More
Review Date: 3/15/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
King University is a small Christian University based in Bristol, TN. This is my first semester at King after graduating with an associate degree in Business Administration last spring. I transferred to King pursuing my bachelor’s degree in their online Comm program. After being here for roughly a semester now, I can confidently say this is a great online program. Each student at King, online or traditional, is assigned a student success specialist that guides you through what classes to take and... Read More
Review Date: 10/30/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
When I started at King University, I struggled with a lot of mental health issues. I knew what I wanted to do i.e. learn more about Communication, but I physically and emotionally could not bring myself to do the work - and I was already 2 weeks into class. I continued to struggle and struggle until my grades paid the price. I eventually took time away from school to reconnect with my passions in life. In the fall of 2019, I began my studies again with the determination to absorb all the information... Read More
Review Date: 10/22/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
When I began looking for a school to complete my degree, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I ultimate went to the internet to find my answer. I searched the web for affordable, online schools that provided a good, flexible schedule since I was a full-time worker. I came across King University. Not only was the school accredited, it was in my budget and gave me a great degree I could use for just about any career path: Communications! I was so excited for my journey to start. I was ready to start... Read More
Review Date: 3/29/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I have been enrolled here at King for almost three years, and I truly believe that this University is one of the best online programs in the state of Tennessee. From the application process, all the way down to the instructors, each and every person I have had contact with, has been very helpful and genuinely makes me feel like they want me to succeed. Each class I have been in, has been very flexible and work friendly. I love how it feels like a self-paced program that does not just pile on classwork... Read More
Review Date: 11/5/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
King Univesity is a small school located in beautiful Bristol, TN. The campus is surrounded by mountains and various rivers that you can hike, fish, hunt, or simply enjoy the scenery. As for the communications program, it is completely online with most of the professors located at King's satellite campus in Knoxville, TN. This was the third school I've taken online classes at and the various professors we're all accessible when trying to contact them. I lived several hours away from every professor... Read More
Review Date: 9/17/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
My experience with King University thus far has been a positive experience. I attend college right out of highschool high school, but ended up taking some time off for awhile due to the fact I really had no idea what I wanted to do. However, when I decided to go back and finish my communications degree. I work full time and so I needed something that was gonna going to be flexible for me. I was recommended to King University's online program. King is known in my area for being a top rated university... Read More
Review Date: 11/2/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I transferred into King University as a Junior from a large Knoxville University. I am Communications major and have taken many courses in the communications program. My experience has been great with flexible scheduling, and exceptional professors, such as Dr. Sloan, Professor Rebecca Huckaby, and Professor Cora Young. Our classes were only 5 weeks long. The 5-week courses allowed me, as a working adult, to obtain a degree with great flexibility. Each class has a low student to professor ratio,... Read More
Review Date: 10/20/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I started the Communication program at King University in January 2019. After researching my options of schools would provide me the best education, I found KING. Their online program makes it convenient for working adults to complete a bachelor’s degree in a fast-track degree program in 16-18 months. The application process was one of the easiest I have dealt with and the faculty and staff is helpful and always available to answer questions. I am very please with how smoothly this process has been... Read More
Review Date: 11/3/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I have been enrolled in COMM Studies at King University for about 3 months now. My first semester is coming to an end and my experience thus far has been very smooth and successful. I look forward to completing my degree here, and for those who decide to do the same, it is truly the best way to complete school in a timely manner. I am working a full-time job in the insurance industry working 40+ hours a week and I have not once struggled with balancing work and school. Having a balance of the two... Read More
Review Date: 11/4/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
As a third semester communication major at King University, I can confidently say that I have had the most incredible experience thus far. From the process of transfering to King University to the unseen teachers who somehow care so deeply, this online program has been a dream. When I began the transfer process, I was a bit nervous about commiting to an all online program as I had only ever been in classrooms with professors directly in front of me. Never had I dreamed of being an online student,... Read More
Review Date: 11/3/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The Communication Program at King University Online is an excellent accredited university featuring the most flexible hours possible. King University Online is tailored for the adult learner seeking flexible hours, all the while remaining accredited. King University and the Communication program at King university Online has given me the freedom to complete my college work at the hours that work best for me and my family. I can also still afford time to work at my day job, and still have plenty of... Read More
Review Date: 7/13/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes