The best communications schools have never been more important than in today’s digital age. Learning how to communicate with audiences effectively across various platforms is essential for every individual and business. With the right program, you can find highly profitable careers in an assortment of industries.
You’ll learn to tailor written and oral content to specific audiences with business-oriented goals in mind with a communications degree. Your future career could include writing press releases for small businesses or speeches for world leaders. Often, you can even find careers relating to oral communication, such as designing presentations for companies.
Whether you want a career in human resources or marketing, you must find the best program available. We’ve compiled the top ten communications schools across the United States, ranked from least to most costly per year in this list. We’ve also curated the schools based on the following criteria:
- Average annual costs below $16,000
- A median starting salary no less than $20,000 post-graduatio
- Accredited programs from recognized institutions
10 Best Communications Schools
1. Walden University
4 Year; Minneapolis, MN
Average Annual Cost: $10,307
Finding a reputable communications degree program with flexibility can be challenging for many students. In these instances, Walden University is a fantastic resource with flexible, tailored courses for professional-minded students. Their communications degree is offered entirely online, making it simpler to fit into your schedule.
Upon enrollment, you can choose between bachelor’s degree and non-degree programs based on your needs. The courses revolve around social, mobile, and digital communication to help you excel in various industries. Students will have the opportunity to learn about new media, advertising, public relations, and corporate communications in their studies.
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in communications is one of the most popular options for students. You’ll require 181 credits comprised of core program courses, concentration courses, electives, and capstone courses. As an added benefit, you can transfer up to 135 credits from a different school to qualify for a degree, 45 of which must be from Walden.
When enrolled in the communications program, students can expect courses such as:
- Interpersonal Communication for Personal and Professional Services
- Fundamentals of Public Speaking
- Stereotypes and Scandals
- Digital Storytelling
- Intercultural Communicatio
- Organizational Communicatio
On average, 24% of students graduate from Walden University and can earn up to $77,487 with their degree in hand. If you’re looking for a flexible degree option to accommodate your current professional schedule, this school is surely a top pick.
2. Pennsylvania State University – Pe State Wilkes-Barre
4 Year; Lehman, PA
Average Annual Cost: $12,718
Every business is on the hunt for a communications professional to keep its target audience up-to-date with its latest offerings. With the help of Pennsylvania State University – Pe State Wilkes-Barre, you can earn a corporate communications degree to further your career. Their corporate communications program is essential for all business-minded students.
During your studies, you’ll learn how to problem solve, deal with crisis management, and how to use persuasive writing. Students will also understand what audiences need and are interested in tailoring their writing to appeal to specific demographics. Upon graduation, you’ll receive a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communication.
There is a wide assortment of courses you’ll take during your time in school, including those related to communications. Students can also expect to take psychology, human behavior, media relations, and business courses. The entire program is designed to ensure every individual is prepared to tackle their new career once they obtain their degrees.
You’ll find employment in various industries with Pennsylvania State University – Pe State Wilkes-Barre’s diverse curriculum. Students often find themselves placed in event planning, marketing, human resources, public relations, and other top-earning industries.
3. National University
4 Year; La Jolla, CA
Average Annual Cost: $13,320
National University is a unique option for communications students as they have three separate programs. The two undergraduate programs provide you with a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications or a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications. Graduate students can also pursue a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication.
Both of the school’s Bachelor’s degree programs allow students to establish a unique voice to use in their communications. You’ll learn to apply strategic methods when communicating in digital media, presentations, print, and other mediums. Students often find themselves working in advertising, corporate communication, public relations, and marketing upon graduation.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications, your program has a stronger focus on marketing. Students will explore traditional marketing concepts such as direct marketing, sales promotion, and advertising. You’ll learn to create and provide a unified message from an organization to its target audience during your classes.
What makes these programs unique compared to others is how they use the latest communication technologies. Instead of participating in a dated curriculum focusing primarily on print media, you’ll have a strong focus on digital media. By graduation, you’ll have measurable results that you can put to good use in your future career.
4. Pennsylvania State University – Pe State Worthington Scranto
4 Year; Dunmore, PA
Average Annual Cost: $13,484
Obtaining a communications degree from Pennsylvania State University – Pe State Worthington Scranton features many avenues. Students can opt to take a full degree program at the school or take the first two years of learning. From there, you can transfer your credits to another Pe State school to complete your degree.
As a part of the Pe State Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, there are various specialties to pursue. Students often find themselves exploring majors like Advertising or Public Relations, Journalism, Telecommunications and Media Industries, and Film Production and Media Studies. Alternatively, you can attend the Scranton campus to obtain a Corporate Communication Degree.
With this degree, students can take a creative and strategic edge to form business-related communications. You’ll learn how to boost morale within an organization while effectively communicating with internal and external parties. Through your learned methods, you will manage multiple aspects of a business, including:
- Upholding social responsibility
- Maintaining stakeholder interests
- Managing corporate identity
- Establishing branding
- Incorporating new media strategies
When you graduate, you’ll have a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communication. It’s also important to have a good idea of the courses you can expect to take, such as:
- External Communicatio
- Risk and Crisis Communicatio
- Business Writing
- Business or Organizational Communicatio
- External and Internal Communicatio
5. Pennsylvania State University – Pe State New Kensingto
4 Year; New Kensington, PA
Average Annual Cost: $13,718
Keeping up with the world’s ever-changing communications industry is simple with Pennsylvania State University – Pe State New Kensington. Their four-year communications degree allows students to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. You’ll have a far more competitive acumen of skills to build an effective resume for post-graduate employment.
Through your studies, you will work through critical thinking and strategic communication skills. Students will also get their hands in advanced multimedia training to use new technologies for effective messaging. There are two standard four-year communications degree programs at this school, Corporate Communications and Journalism.
Either avenue provides you with the skills needed to show your expertise in working in and around businesses. There is also an exceptional number of courses included in the curriculum, such as:
- Television Practicum
- Newspaper Editorial Staff
- Critical Media Literacy
- Media and Democracy
- The Mass Media and Society
- Understanding and Enhancing Creativity
- Mental Illness and the Movies
- Gaming and Interactive Media
As you can tell, all of the course offerings from Pennsylvania State University – Pe State New Kensington are diverse. Students will navigate traditional and modern media sources to know how to reach their target audiences. Upon completion of your degree program, you can work in several industries such as public relations, marketing, and advertising.
6. Pennsylvania State University – World Campus
4 Year; University Park, PA
Average Annual Cost: $13,988
Pennsylvania State University – World Campus has several options for communications majors to explore. If you’re looking for a school that offers specialties, their programs are the best in the country. Whether you want to lean more towards liberal arts or communications, there are many options.
Students will find courses to offer a strong foundation in social science, art, and psychology. The entire curriculum is designed to assist students with communicating in various industries. If you’re interested in a more traditional communications degree, you’ll want to consider the following programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Professional Communicatio
- Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications
- Undergraduate Certificate in Organizational Communicatio
- Bachelor of Arts in Letters, Arts, and Sciences
A few other alternatives for those interested in communications include:
- Bachelor of Science in Integrated Social Sciences
- Undergraduate Certificate in Fundraising and Advancement
- Bachelor of Arts in Digital Journalism and Media
- Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Arts
Graduate students can also benefit significantly from the Master’s programs at Pennsylvania State University – World Campus. If you want to enhance your education focused on a communications specialty, consider:
- Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Communications
- Master of Professional Studies in Psychology of Leadership
7. University of Maryland – University College
4 Year; Adelphi, MD
Average Annual Cost: $14,288
The communications program from the University of Maryland – University College is a fantastic option for specialization-minded students. You can form a career to benefit the public through undergraduate and graduate programs with a COMM degree. You can work towards a B.A. in communication, oral communication, and a rhetoric minor during your studies.
Depending on the program you choose, the course offerings will vary. For undergraduate Communication B.A. students, some of the courses you can expect to take include:
- Foundations of Communications
- Professional Communication and Writing
- Introduction to Communication Inquiry
- Communication Research Literacy
- Qualitative Communication Research Methods
Graduate degree students will be able to pursue a specialty in Interpreting and Translation, providing you with ample skills for worldwide job opportunities. You’ll garner experience working in multilingual and multicultural environments using strategic communications. Undoubtedly, the course selections through the Department of Communication can assist you with a career in many industries.
Graduates often find themselves working in Public Advocacy, Health, and Science, Digital and Media, or Public Relations. Another popular industry you may want to consider is Political Communication.
8. Pennsylvania State University – Pe State York
4 Year; York, PA
Average Annual Cost: $14,476
Pennsylvania State University – Pe State York offers two baccalaureate degree programs for communications majors. You can either enroll in the Corporate Communication Degree Program or the Communication Arts and Sciences degree program. Both avenues provide you with the essential skills to communicate effectively across numerous industries.
With corporate communications, you’ll establish a multicultural mindset when dealing with internal and external business needs. This degree is undoubtedly beneficial for students looking for worldwide experience. During your studies, you’ll explore social media, marketing, and public relations.
When you graduate, you’ll receive a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communication and fundamental skills for success. This degree program is highly recommended for those looking for jobs in non-profit and for-profit sectors worldwide. By mastering the art of persuasion and problem-solving, you’ll become an irreplaceable part of any business plan for growth.
9. Pennsylvania State University – Pe State Lehigh Valley
4 Year; Center Valley, PA
Average Annual Cost: $14,476
Similar to the other Pe State communications program, Pe State Lehigh Valley offers a Corporate Communications degree. Their curriculum focuses on all aspects of communicating outside of effective writing. You’ll also establish stronger skills in problem-solving, planning, and persuading.
You’ll learn to tailor your communications to meet your audience’s interests and needs during your courses. Students will also have a better grasp of how to create effective messaging and deliver it appropriately. There are many cross-disciplinary courses included in the program, making it flexible and engaging.
All of your courses will revolve around business principles, written and verbal communication skills, branding, internal and external communication, and other marketing strategies. Some of the most common courses in your program will include:
- Public Relations and Marketing
- Social Media Communicatio
- Risk and Crisis Communicatio
- Mass Media and Society
- Social, Legal, and Ethical Environment of Business
10. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
4 Year; Denver, CO
Average Annual Cost: $15,358
If you’re interested in pursuing a specialty career in healthcare communications, the University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a fabulous option. Their Health Communication Certificate is a phenomenal program to help you generate and produce effective health messages. Considering health education is of the utmost importance in modern times, this certificate is ideal.
As you study, your courses will explore the fundamentals of communicating via digital and mass media. Students will learn how to incorporate easily digestible health, wellness, and medical facts to develop public awareness. You’ll also be able to apply your medical knowledge and abilities to better your community’s general health.
Fortunately, this program is highly flexible as it’s offered both online and in-person. Online programs are ideal if you’re already pursuing a degree from the University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. Also, you can use this certificate to further your established professional career.