Best Online B.S. Communications Degrees

B.S. Communications Overview

From resolving conflicts at home to presenting ideas at work, great communication skills empower you to articulate your thoughts, connect with others, and drive change. If you’re interested in building your communication abilities, you may be considering an online Bachelor of Science in Communications degree.   

Communications degrees cover practical competencies that apply to many different industries and occupations, including marketing, digital media, public relations, human resources, copywriting, and sales. The abilities you acquire through a communications degree program can also benefit your everyday life, helping you become a better listener, public speaker, and conversationalist. Keep reading to explore some of the top online communications degrees and discover how earning a B.S. in Communications can lay the foundation for a thriving career. 

What Can You Do with a B.S. Degree in Communications?

Because communication skills are in high demand across industries, an online communications degree can open doors to rewarding career opportunities in a variety of fields. Graduates with a communications degree can thrive in many different roles, including:

Our MBA degree rankings are unbiased and strictly based on facts about the schools. We’ve ranked the above MBA programs based on the following criteria:

  • Marketing manager  
  • Public relations specialist 
  • Journalist  
  • Content writer  
  • Managing editor  
  • Corporate communications specialist 
  • Social media manager 
  • Brand strategist  
  • Human resources specialist 
  • Sales representative 
  • Event coordinator 
  • Communications manager 

Top Online B.S. Communications Programs

Compared to traditional on-campus programs, online communication degrees offer unparalleled flexibility and convenience. Students can access course materials anytime, anywhere, making it a popular choice for adults who need to balance their studies with professional and personal commitments. The online B.S. Communications programs listed below have been selected based on their cost-effectiveness, academic rigor, and flexible learning options.

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Arizona State Online

Bachelor’s Degree of Communication

Location: Online (based in Scottsdale, AZ)

Average time to graduation: 4 years

Acceptance rate: 88%

Graduation rate: 67%

Cost of attendance: $15,437 per 12 credits

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Admission requirements

  • High school GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Application form
  • Nonrefundable application fee of $70
  • ACT or SAT scores
  • Official transcripts

Unique offerings

ASU’s online communications degree provides comprehensive training in communication studies, equipping students with skills in critical thinking; leadership and conflict management; oral and written communication; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Students can also complete their B.S. Communications degree as part of an accelerated master’s program. Graduates from this program are prepared to become public relations specialists, business analysts, event planners, and communication strategists in various industries.

Additional details

With over 145,000 students, Arizona State University is one of the largest public universities in the U.S. It offers traditional, on-campus degrees as well as multiple online programs through ASU Online. The university consistently ranks high in publications such as Times Higher Education and U.S. News & World Report.

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Western Governors University

Bachelor’s Degree of Communication

Location: Online (based in Salt Lake City, UT)

Fastest time to graduation: 19 Months

Acceptance rate: 100%

Graduation rate: 50%

Cost of attendance: Flat-rate tuition per six-month term; $8,010 per year on average

Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Admission requirements

  • Application form
  • Official high school/college transcripts
  • Nonrefundable application fee of $65

Unique offerings

WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Communications degree offers industry-aligned courses that teach students the in-demand skills employers seek in employees. Students in this program learn about crisis communication, research and data in communications planning, KPI evaluation of messaging, and other communication fundamentals. WGU’s B.S. in Communications also includes WGU certificates in strategic thinking and innovation, business power skills, and strategic communications.

Additional details

WGU is an accredited, nonprofit university recognized for its accessibility, affordability, and unique approach to online learning. At WGU, degree programs are competency based, meaning that students progress through courses according to their understanding of the material. This educational model allows many students to graduate faster and save on tuition.

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Colorado State University

Bachelor’s Degree of Communication

Location: Online (based in Fort Collins, CO)

Graduation rate: 67%

Cost of attendance: $476 per credit hour

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Unique offerings

CSU’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies equips online students with a comprehensive understanding of oral, written, visual, and digital communication strategies, empowering them to succeed in a range of career paths. This 120-credit degree program includes courses in relational and organizational communication, history and theory of rhetoric, public speaking, and communication and popular culture. ASU has a generous transfer credit policy, allowing many students to advance their studies and graduate sooner.

Additional details

Colorado State University has a long history of academic innovation. In the 1970s, it was one of the first universities to offer distance-based learning by mailing students VHS tapes containing coursework. Today, the university offers nearly 300 degrees, including 17 bachelor’s degree programs that can be completed entirely online.

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University of Louisville

Bachelor’s Degree of Communication

Location: Online (based in Louisville, KY)

Cost of attendance: $540 per credit hour

Accreditation: Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Unique offerings

The University of Louisville offers an online communications degree that can be earned as a Bachelor of Arts in Communication or a Bachelor of Science in Communication. Both degree tracks teach students essential communication philosophies and practices. The B.A. degree focuses more on language, interpersonal communication, and social sciences, while the B.S. degree emphasizes applied communication through disciplines such as copywriting, public speaking, and debate. Students who transfer credits from accredited institutions can finish this degree in as little as two years.

Additional details

At the University of Louisville, students can choose from over 200 degree programs, including 70 that are 100% online. This public research university caters to adult learners who are balancing their studies with busy personal or professional lives. Online degree programs at the University of Louisville are available in both synchronous and asynchronous formats, allowing students to select the learning style that best meets their needs and preferences.

How Online B.S. Communications Programs Work

By earning a communications degree online, students can gain valuable skills and enhance their career prospects from the comfort of their own homes. These online and distance-based degree programs have varying requirements and formats, allowing students to choose a program that meets their unique needs.

Some involve synchronous online classes in which students and instructors interact through live video calls. In other programs, students access prerecorded lectures, e-learning modules, and other resources on their own schedule.

Students seeking a high degree of flexibility may choose to pursue competency-based degrees. In these self-paced programs, students pass classes as quickly as they demonstrate mastery of the material.  

Online bachelor’s programs are also available in part-time or full-time formats. Students who want to complete their degrees faster can choose a full-time course load, while those balancing other priorities can choose part-time programs.