[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Communications professionals are needed in virtually every industry to effectively inform and persuade the public. A [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/communications-degree/”]communications degree[/hen-ui-link] allows you to pursue roles in fields such as media, marketing, or public relations.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While a degree in communications can be useful for many different career paths, educational expenses can be daunting. Luckily, there are many affordable online communications degree programs you can pursue.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide will outline the most affordable online communications degrees and factors to consider when choosing a degree program.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-secondary-700″]Benefits of Getting a Communications Degree[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How We Chose These Schools”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At TheBestSchools, we use trusted data from the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate schools without bias. Our ranking methodology helps prospective students from various backgrounds find the best fit. We consider key factors like academic quality, online offerings, and affordability, so every type of student can find the best fit for them.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This list has not been updated for 2025. Learn more about how our formula works on [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/ranking-methodology/”]our ranking methodology page[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Communications Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What are the highest-paying jobs with a communication degree?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]One of the highest-paying jobs with a bachelor’s communication degree is technical writing, with a median salary of $80,050 (BLS).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Executive communications professionals can earn even higher salaries. However, these jobs often require advanced degrees, such as a master’s in business or communications.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What can I do with a bachelor’s in communication degree?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With a bachelor’s degree in communications, you can pursue jobs in media, journalism, and writing. You can also work as an interpreter or translator if you’re proficient in a foreign language.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Public relations firms, which span across many different industries, also hire communications professionals to help effectively deliver information.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is communication a hard major?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Communication degrees typically lean heavily on liberal arts-related courses. If you tend to excel in areas like math and science but struggle in English or writing classes, you may have a harder time completing this degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Alternatively, creative students with strong writing and public speaking skills may have an easier time completing this degree.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is a communications degree worth it?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Determining whether a degree is “worth it” is a personal decision, but a communications degree can be useful for many reasons. A communications degree can help you develop stronger writing and verbal skills, which is valuable no matter what career path you decide to pursue.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Since a communications degree primarily focuses on how to deliver information effectively, it can be especially useful for a career in public relations, media, or journalism.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]
- A communications degree teaches you how to effectively deliver information in a variety of ways.
- Along with developing your verbal skills, this degree helps you strengthen your technical and storytelling writing abilities.
- A communications degree is highly versatile and makes you marketable to employers in many fields.
- Communications majors can work in a variety of roles, such as public relations professionals, speechwriters, or journalists.
#1 Most Affordable Online Communication Degrees
The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$6,692
- Out-of-state$18,962
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$4,948
- Out-of-state$12,292
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled5,899
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment86%
- AccreditationYes
#2 Most Affordable Online Communication Degrees
Colorado State University Global
Aurora, CO
- 2 year
- Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$8,400
- Out-of-state$8,400
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$9,000
- Out-of-state$9,000
- Retention Rate56%
- Acceptance Rate17%
- Students Enrolled9,507
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
#3 Most Affordable Online Communication Degrees
Trine University Online
Fort Wayne, IN
- 4 year
- Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$9,576
- Out-of-state$9,576
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$10,350
- Out-of-state$10,350
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance Rate22%
- Students Enrolled8,230
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
#4 Most Affordable Online Communication Degrees
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
- 4 year
- Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$10,313
- Out-of-state$10,313
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$10,160
- Out-of-state$10,160
- Retention Rate0%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled44,223
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
#5 Most Affordable Online Communication Degrees
The University of Minnesota Crookston
Crookston, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$11,478
- Out-of-state$11,478
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled2,518
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
#6 Most Affordable Online Communication Degrees
The University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$9,645
- Out-of-state$19,410
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$8,910
- Out-of-state$16,146
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled4,661
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment83%
- AccreditationYes
#7 Most Affordable Online Communication Degrees
The University of Missouri–St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$13,440
- Out-of-state$33,432
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$14,736
- Out-of-state$35,040
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled14,815
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
#8 Most Affordable Online Communication Degrees
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE
- 4 year
- Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$8,136
- Out-of-state$8,136
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$11,682
- Out-of-state$11,682
- Retention Rate51%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled14,476
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
#9 Most Affordable Online Communication Degrees
Northeastern University
Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$48,464
- Out-of-state$48,464
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$25,088
- Out-of-state$25,088
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled7,471
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
#10 Most Affordable Online Communication Degrees
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$13,248
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$6,534
- Out-of-state$11,970
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled14,032
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment71%
- AccreditationYes