Best Schools for Communications

If you’re looking for a major that will open up plenty of career opportunities, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications might be a great choice. By earning a communications degree, you’ll develop valuable skills in identifying, evaluating, and applying different methods of communication. You can use these skills for everything from negotiating a salary to presenting a business in the best possible light, and plenty of employers value these skills.

Communications is also a promising field to go into; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, media and communications positions are projected to grow by 6% by 2026, which is an about average growth speed. In May of 2017, the average salary for media and communications position was $56,340. If communications is a field that interests you, then you’ll want to consider the 25 Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees’ in Communications.

The degrees in this ranking can all be completed entirely online, which is a significant advantage when you’re trying to balance your education with life and work commitments. Online classes tend to be flexible, and many of these programs offer asynchronous courses where you can log in on the days and times that are most convenient for you.

Some programs allow you to specialize in particular fields, but any of these programs will give you plenty of career options. These communications degrees can prepare you to hold positions in human resources, public relations, politics, journalism, media, and much more.

Top Communication Degree School Programs

#1 FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

MIAMI, FL
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION ARTS
Website
Score: 100

Florida International University’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts features a track in Organizational Communication Studies for a comprehensive education designed for communication officers. This major is ideal for students who want to have careers in nonprofits, education, business, government, or similar fields. The program is also an excellent foundation for students who plan to go into areas such as social work, public administration, hospitality management. Thanks to FIU Online, global location is no longer a barrier to education, and students can watch lectures online, collaborate with their peers on projects, and even get real-time feedback from instructors.
FIU Online pairs each student with a personal success coach who offers one-on-one guidance throughout their entire education. Students who enroll through FIU Online will be taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus. FIU Online has offered online courses since 1998, and in 2019 the U.S. News & World Report ranked the school at No. 58 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in the United States. FIU also ranks No. 37 for U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 ranking of the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans.
Net Price: $12,219

#2 APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Appalachian State University awards a Bachelor of Science in Communication, Advertising degree that is delivered entirely online. Students will learn effective marketing and selling techniques for business-to-business and business-to-consumer applications. This comprehensive program includes the study of communication, research, strategy, social media, and project management, and students admitted to the program must engage with social media.
This program is delivered in a year-round format, with students taking 12 hours of credits each semester. Students can complete the program in just six semesters but must transfer a minimum of 50 credit hours into the program, since App State Online teaches 51-54 of this program’s 120 credit hours. Students must also choose a minor in either Business or Sociology. App State Online students are eligible for financial aid under the same rules that apply to on-campus students. All of App State Online’s undergraduate programs are transfer programs, meaning that students must transfer credits from an accredited institution to participate in the junior and senior-level coursework offered by App State Online’s programs.
Net Price: $10,473

#3 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

The University of Central Florida’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Conflict program is offered entirely online, making it accessible to students all over the country. UCF was founded in 1963. Today, it consists of 13 colleges and is home to over 68,000 students. In-state students enjoy a credit hour discount on the 120-credit-hour program. Through the coursework, students will develop an understanding of interpersonal and intercultural communication. Online communication courses and conflict-resolution training offer students a comprehensive education that will prepare them for a variety of careers. Program graduates can go on for careers as counselors, family law facilitators, counselors, human resources administrators.
UCF Online degrees combine convenience and flexibility with an outstanding education. Online courses are taught by 200 full-time faculty, and UCF Online offers more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, all accessible entirely online. The U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF at No. 14 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in the Nation, and also included UCF in its ranking of the Top 10 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans.
Net Price: $15,341

#4 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

The University of Minnesota’s Bachelor of Science in Communication program is a 120-hour program that’s delivered completely online. Students can choose from three areas of emphasis: Communication Studies, Writing, or Organizational Communication/Public Relations. The strong communication skills that students acquire during this program position them for a variety of potential careers, including options in speech writing, freelance writing, public relations, corporate communications, management, and marketing. U of M employs 3,900 exceptionally dedicated and qualified faculty who have won Nobel Prizes, MacArthur Fellowships, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and other awards.
As of fall 2017, U of M was home to over 31,500 undergraduate students and 16,000 graduate students. With over 900 student organizations and 23 varsity athletic teams, U of M students enjoy plenty of activities. Through the University of Minnesota Online, the University offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, continuing education, and certificate programs that are accessible to students no matter where they’re located. Programs are offered in hybrid formats, and some programs are available entirely online.
Net Price: $16,808

#5 ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

The Bachelor of Science in Communications program is available online or at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. This program combines a foundation in the liberal arts with a focus in the social sciences, so students develop valuable skills that they can apply in a variety of career areas or their graduate studies. Students may choose to explore careers in counseling, human resource management, public relations, sales, and marketing. This program’s online format features multiple enrollment sessions each year, so students don’t have to delay their education. Students may choose to fast-track their studies with either a 2.5 or a three-year path.
ASU offers over 250 study abroad programs in over 65 different countries, so ASU students may choose to study overseas, as well. Students learn from highly qualified faculty including Nobel laureates, MacArthur fellows, and Pulitzer Prize winners. The U.S. News & World Report ranks ASU as the top university in the nation for innovation in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. The Times Higher Education also ranked ASU in the top 1% of the world’s most prestigious universities. ASU is home to many notable alumni, including autism spokeswoman Mary Temple Grandin, PGA golfer Phil Mickelson, and award-winning fashion designer Kate Spade.
Net Price: $12,947

#6 UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

The University of Arizona’s Communication Bachelor of Arts program is offered entirely online. The program focuses on the study of various elements of communication, such as social influence and interpersonal communication. The program does not focus on skills training, such as in sports marketing or broadcast journalism. Thanks to the online design of the program, Arizona Online students will participate in courses between three and five days each week. They will collaborate with other students to complete projects and must complete assignments on time.
Some courses have scheduled online discussions, while others have more flexible designs so that students can complete them at their own pace. Students also have the option of transferring between the online program and taking in-person on-campus classes. No travel to Tucson is required for online students, and even if Arizona Online students live out of state, they’ll still pay the same tuition as in-state students. In 2019, the U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Arizona as having one of the 30 best online bachelor’s programs in the country. The U.S. News & World Report also ranks the University of Arizona as a top college in Arizona in 2019.
Net Price: $15,758

#7 UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO

For students with aspirations of a career in the corporate world, the Bachelor of Arts in Organizational and Corporate Communication may be an ideal option. Offered by the University of Texas at El Paso, this degree is available entirely online. It provides flexible study options that suit a student with a busy work or family life and is an excellent option for students who seek careers in public relations, human relations, or media relations. Program graduates will be prepared for positions as marketing managers, event planners, fundraising managers, public relations specialists, and technical writers.
During this program, students take a variety of courses in core subjects, as well as coursework on topics such as organizational communication, new media advertising, and ad sales and management. UTEP has an enrollment of over 25,000 students, and about 80% of the student body is Hispanic. It’s also the only doctoral research university in the United States to have a majority Mexican-American student body, and about 36% of its faculty are Hispanic. Each year, UTEP awards approximately $88 million in scholarships, and UTEP students receive about $192 million in financial aid. The Military Times included UTEP in its 2018 Best Colleges rankings.
Net Price: $6,785

#8 UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN

For students looking for flexibility in their education, the University of Texas at the Permian Basin offers a solution. The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Online features courses that are delivered 100% online. Classes are only seven weeks long, and with six start dates throughout the year, students don’t have to wait to take the next step in their education. During this program, students learn to apply communication theories and examine how they impact business, society, and culture. Program graduates are prepared to hold many different careers, including in management, law, social services, and journalism fields. Students enrolled in this online degree are taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus courses.
Founded in 1973, UTPB offers 42 different bachelor programs and 35 master programs within its three colleges, and many of these programs are available online. These online programs allow students the flexibility to access their schoolwork anywhere, anytime. Courses are designed so that students can balance them with work and life obligations. The U.S. News & World Report ranked UTPB’s online bachelor programs as the top three programs in Texas public universities, as well as among the top 50 Best Online Bachelor’s Degree ranking for the entire United States.
Net Price: $9,930

#9 WEBSTER UNIVERSITY

Webster University’s Bachelor of Arts in Media Communications program introduces students to foundational aspects such as media theory, then allows them to choose a concentration for further expertise. Students may opt to take this program online or may take it in-person on-campus. During their junior year, students must pass a portfolio review once they have completed 15 School of Communications credit hours. Concentrations are available in any of the disciplines in the School of Communications, including Journalism, Games and Game Design, Media Communications, Scriptwriting. Webster University was founded in 1915 and became one of the first Catholic women’s colleges to be located west of the Mississippi River.
Today, Webster University offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and its online programs allow students to balance their education with other life commitments. This private, nonprofit liberal arts university was included in the Forbes America’s Top Colleges 2018 ranking and was also recognized as having one of the best study abroad programs. The U.S. News & World Report ranks Webster at No. 29 for its Regional Universities-Midwest 2019 category. In 2017, Washington Monthly Magazine included Webster University in its rankings of the best universities of the country.
Net Price: $23,835

#10 MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE

Mississippi College offers a variety of communications degrees, and the Communication, Generalist Concentration, BA is offered entirely online. During this 130-credit-hour program, students will complete university core coursework in English, history, social sciences, science, math, and the Bible. The program’s core coursework focuses on topics such as public speaking, communication law, public relations, and journalism. Students also complete 18-course hours of generalist concentration classes, which include topics such as negotiation, multimedia journalism, and interpretative reading.
Founded in 1826, MC is affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention. This private, co-ed institution is the oldest higher learning institution within the state and is home to over 3,200 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students. MC offers over 80 undergraduate degrees and 50 graduate programs of study, as well as doctoral degrees. MC first-year students may be eligible for scholarships based on their ACT and SAT scores. The U.S. News & World Report ranked MC at No. 32 for the Best Colleges in the South ranking, and in 2016 The Princeton Review ranked MC as a Best Southeastern College.
Net Price: $17,098