The study of communications is a broad discipline that involves analyzing how society and culture is influenced by our interactions. It’s a field that can lead to a lucrative career, in high demand from employers who are seeking ways to market and sell products.

While communications degrees do not target any specific career path, they can lead to careers in a broad range of fields, including public relations, marketing and advertising, human resources, broadcasting, and many more. But your in-depth knowledge of how best to convey meaning and through what mediums will help you drive organizations forward.
What Is a Communications Degree?
While some students have specific career aspirations, you might not know exactly what you want to do after graduation. However, if you want to go to college, a communications degree could be a good choice. This broad discipline can be applied in almost any career; there are few exceptions to the organizations that require strong communicators and leaders.
A bachelor’s degree in communications will typically include a number of required, core courses. These will typically be in areas such as the history of communications, mass communication, and ethics and law. You’ll study how people interact with one another, the impact of communications on society and culture, and the emerging technologies used to communicate.
Some programs are more competitive than others; the GPA requirements for incoming students may vary from 2.5 to 3.0, in addition to the usual requirements around provision of transcripts, recommendations, and personal essays. Many programs will also require you to maintain a minimum GPA throughout the program (typically no lower than a ‘C’ on any coursework).
Careers for Communications Majors
A bachelor’s degree in communications can lead directly into a doctoral program within the same discipline. Students who pursue this path typically move into positions within research and academia, or teach as a university professor. Of course, this means anywhere between 4 and 7 years of additional study.
Many communications programs offer a concentration in public relations, which could lead to work as a reporter, correspondent, or broadcast news analyst. However, these newscasting roles are some of the very few roles that are becoming less sought after, with the BLS predicting a small decline between 2019 and 2029 in available positions.
On the other hand, public relations roles are in high demand. Public relations specialists face a predicted 7% rise in demand between 2019 and 2029 according to the BLS, while public relations and fundraising managers are predicted to be in even higher demand.
Communications Salary Potential
The salaries available to public relations professions are far above the national average (which is around $40,000 annually). Public relations specialists earned a median salary of around $61,150 in 2019 according to the same BLS source as above, while their senior managers earned a median of $116,180, also via the above source.
And while traditional reporting and journalism may be in decline, digital media is evolving and rising in demand at a rapid rate. For example, technical writers earned a median of $72,850 according to the BLS in 2019. Editors earned around $61,370, and while this role may be in decline for traditional publishing, there’s still a large demand for digital media editors.
One of the best routes for improving employability and earnings in the future is to continue studying at the master’s and/or doctoral levels. However, these programs of study are lengthy and more specialized, so you should have a strong idea of your career aspirations before undertaking such a course of study.
What Are the Best Communications Degrees?
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University of Florida

Students at the University of Florida are known as ‘Gators’ and enjoy a vast 2,000-acre campus. The student body is 50,000-strong, with around a fifth of those living on-campus. They also compete in 36 national championship teams, with many activities taking place at one of the two nearby lakes.
This major in public relations will prepare you for entry-level roles; for example, graduates often find work as a technician producing small scale campaigns via social media. Equally, some graduates find managerial roles that might include implementing new communications plans.
Comprising 124 credits, this program is offered by the Department of Public Relations, which regularly features highly on rankings of the best public relations education programs across the nation. It is also one of the largest programs in terms of student body and faculty numbers. In-state undergraduates pay tuition and fees of around $6,380, with an estimated total cost of attendance of around $21,430. Students coming from out of state should add around $22,278 to this figure to calculate their cost of attendance. For the most accurate picture of your costs, you can use the UF Net Price Calculator.
Purdue University – Main Campus

Founded in 1869, Purdue University has more than 400 research labs and a total research expenditure of nearly $350 million annually. Students have access to 14 libraries and more than 2 million volumes, making this an ideal place to study the history and application of communications.
Comprising a minimum of 180 quarter-credit-hours, this bachelor’s degree program provides a broad understanding and skills acquisition in the areas of new media, social issues, and effective communication skills. You’ll gain an understanding of new research methodology, which will help you to study how the field of communication relates to advertising, public relations, human resources, and many other industries.
For those who are interested, there is an option to enroll in the accelerated master’s degree program. While this takes longer than the typical four years to obtain a bachelor’s degree, you’ll graduate with a master’s in legal studies, human services, public administration, or psychology.
Your cost of attendance will depend on numerous factors, including residency, accomodation, program type, and more. Indiana residents can expect to pay tuition and fees of approximately $9,992, while out-of-state students pay around $28,794; international students pay the most at around $30,794.
University of Maryland – College Park

The University of Maryland, College Park has a student body of around 41,000 learners who are supported by 14,000 faculty members and other staff. Situated close to the nation’s capital, the institution comprises 12 colleges and schools and offers more than 100 undergraduate programs of study, in addition to even more graduate options.
Students enrolling at this institution can choose from a number of programs under the Department of Communication. The communication studies degree program provides a broad knowledge of the history and applications of communications, while other options include health and science communication, media and digital communication, political communication, and public relations.
The program type that you select should ideally be tied closely to the career in which you are most interested after graduation. Alternatively, the communication studies general degree program leaves your options open and gives you more time to formulate your career plan. More information on each specialization can be found on this page.
Full-time students are those taking 12 or more credit hours per semester. Full-time tuition costs around $8,824 annually for residents of Maryland and $34,936 for non-residents. There are additional mandatory fees of around $977.50 per semester for full-time students, whereas part-time students are charged $455.
University of Georgia

With origins dating back to 1785, the University of Georgia (UGA) is the state’s flagship institution, and its honors program ranks in the top 10 in the nation. Nearly 800 products available today were born out of the university’s research activities. UGA is home to nearly 40,000 students that study across 17 different schools and colleges.
This institution offers a unique scholarship, known as the Olive M. Cone Scholarship, which is awarded to one communications major student each year. This is typically awarded to a student who has shown exceptional academic achievement and commitment. Other limited scholarships are also available to those who participate in the university’s Georgia Debate.
You’ll be expected to take courses in interpersonal communication and public speaking, in addition to others in areas that include research methods, rhetorical criticism, persuasion, and nonverbal communication. There is also an internship that will be arranged and directed by a faculty member, comprising a total of 3 credit hours.
Tuition estimates provided by the university are based on a 9-month academic year. Full-time students who are also state residents will pay around $27,658, including $12,080 tuition and fees. Non-residents can expect to pay around $47,342 annually, with tuition and fees making up around $31,120 of this.
Florida State University

Florida State University forms part of the State University System of Florida and was founded in 1851. It’s situated on the longest-standing continuous site of higher education in the entire state and has been ranked number one for its four-year graduation rates among all public universities in Florida.
Programs under the School of Communication are competitive, with only a limited number of places that are restricted by both GPA requirements and a maximum number of permissible students. You’ll need a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all attempted coursework, all transcripts from previous colleges and universities, and a minimum 52 hours of college coursework completed.
In addition to the above requirements, if you are admitted into this public relations bachelor’s degree, then you will be expected to achieve proficiency in a minimum of one other language aside from English before graduation. More information on the comprehensive list of requirements can be found on this program page. FSU has been named as one of the best values in public colleges, in addition to being one of the best value universities for out-of-state students. Tuition and fees for Florida residents total around $6,516, while non-residents pay around $21,683. Other expenses are listed on this page.
University of Texas – Austin

The University of Texas at Austin has been ranked among the best research institutions in the nation. It’s also home to a study body of more than 50,000 students, supported by 3,000 members of faculty. What’s more, it has been ranked a top-20 public university by U.S. News & World Report.
This major in public relations will prepare you for leadership positions within communications industry and public relations roles, giving you the hands-on skills and confidence you need to lead others. This will be achieved through a combination of coursework in strategy, PR techniques, and writing for PR purposes.
The curriculum places a heavy emphasis on writing in AP style and requires that all enrolled students complete an internship. You’ll be encouraged to select an internship that best aligns with your interests, skills, and career aspirations. Some recent graduates have taken directorships in PR firms and other executive positions. Tuition at the University of Texas at Austin depends on your program type and certain other factors. Undergraduates pursuing more than one major across different colleges will also be charged a higher rate of tuition. You can download tables containing the latest tuition and fees rates from the university’s website.
University Of Iowa

Founded in 1847, the University of Iowa has a total enrollment of around 32,000 students. It is Iowa’s oldest higher education institution, situated alongside the Iowa River. Admissions are competitive, with a median GPA of around 3.78 in the class of 2024.
One of the largest undergraduate majors offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, this communication studies program prepares graduates to tackle the unique challenges posed by communications in the modern world. The curriculum includes the study of various media, delivery methods, and purposes of communication in society and culture, and seeks to advance understanding of the field as a whole.
As an enrolled student, you will have the choice of whether to gain extra credit by completing an internship or similar experience. The alternative experience is an online-only course that involves a number of assignments and other tasks, but does not include any hands-on experience.
The estimated cost of attendance for Iowa residents pursuing an undergraduate degree program is around $21,420. Non-residents pay roughly double, at around $43,383. Additional expenses, for example books and supplies and transportation, come to around $4,180. A one-time records and documents fee of $225 applies to all students.
University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign was founded in 1867 and has since had nearly 30 Pulitzer Prize winners among its alumni. Welcoming almost 50,000 students from every state and other countries around the world, the institution also invented the world’s first graphical web browser.
This program will give you a broad understanding of general communication theory, provide you with the opportunity for more in-depth study within a specific, chosen area of the discipline, and ensure that you can apply what you’ve learned in solving communications problems within our society.
While transfer credits cannot be considered as a replacement for introductory courses in this curriculum, you may be able to transfer credits to satisfy other areas of the curriculum. What’s more, students who have a large degree of work experience or life experience in the field of communication may be eligible for academic credit.
The total cost of attendance for an Illinois resident is estimated between $32,814 – $37,908. This includes tuition and fees of around $16,862 – $21,956. For non-residents, tuition and fees come to around $34,312 – $39,406, for a total cost of attendance of approximately $50,604 – $55,698.
San Jose State University

San José State offers study across more than 250 disciplines, with a broad range of programs available at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The student body comprises around 36,000 students, supported by almost 4,300 employees. As part of a transformational plan, the campus is currently going through significant positive change.
Comprising 120 units in total and lasting for four years, this public relations program features a Journalism and Mass Communication International Experience. As part of this experience, you will study abroad for a minimum of nine days; this will be within a program that’s approved by the faculty, with more details available on this link.
In terms of the curriculum, you will take courses in American Institutions and Physical Education as part of your core requirements. Your major will involve study in areas such as marketing, organizational communication, new media, mass communication and society, media law and ethics, and strategic content creation.
Tuition for undergraduate programs at this institution is charged at around $2,720 for part-time students and $3,926 for full-time students. Non-residents should calculate their tuition by adding an additional $396 to each unit taken. Meal plan costs range from $1,375 to $3,050 depending on your program type.
University of North Georgia

Part of the University System of Georgia, the University of North Georgia enrolls around 20,000 students annually. There are over 100 programs of study available to choose from, including associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. The university comprises five separate campus locations.
The University of North Georgia offers several bachelor’s degree programs, including a communication major that has concentrations in multimedia journalism, organizational leadership, and public relations. The multimedia journalism concentration will see you taking courses in areas such as news production, media law and ethics, and newswriting.
The organizational leadership concentration is more geared towards students who want to pursue senior roles within the industry. You’ll gain essential managerial and leadership skills, including critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving. You’ll apply these skills to solve real-world, organizational problems. Undergraduate tuition and fees at University of North Georgia come to around $5,229 for state residents and $15,182 for non-residents. There are a range of fees that may apply to your program; for a list of these, plus information on room and board and meal plan rates, see this page on the university’s website.
University of Utah

Students at the University of Utah enjoy a vibrant recreational life, with activities including access to sports courts, a disc golf course, and even an outdoor leisure pool. There’s also a large indoor hot tub and spa, indoor running track, climbing wall, and a 15,000 square foot fitness center.
The University of Utah’s Department of Communication offers students a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in communication. There are four emphases to choose from: strategic communication; communication studies; journalism; or science, health, environmental, and risk communication. All students will gain the same foundation knowledge in specific areas of the communications discipline.
This curriculum pairs particularly well with a host of other majors, including those in the areas of sociology, English, economics, and business. Employers are always looking for leaders who possess exceptional communication skills, and pairing these majors together could help to set you apart from the competition. The estimated cost of attendance for a state resident is around $26,642, with around $9,286 of this going towards tuition and fees. Non-resident cost of attendance is around $47,352, with $29,996 in tuition and fees. Rates for room and board and books and supplies are available from the office of scholarships and financial aid.
Kansas State University

Learning at Kansas State University is spread across four campuses, including an online distance learning platform. The university recently set a visionary goal to rank within the top 50 public research universities by 2025, so you can be sure that there will be a lot of positive change going on.
As part of this communications major, you will gain a strong foundation in research methodology, the impact of communications on society and culture, and how different media and technology are used to reach different audiences. You will also complete an internship, giving you valuable hands-on experience.
For this major in mass communications, you’ll require a minimum 2.5 GPA on at least the previous 30 credit hours studied. You may also transfer up to 12 semester hours towards this major to help you meet the graduation credit requirements. Tuition for students studying at the Manhattan campus on an undergraduate program costs around $312.50 per credit hour for state residents. Non-residents pay around $841.70 per credit hour. A campus privilege fee and academic infrastructure fee also apply, with costs depending on the number of credits taken. More information on these fees can be found here.
University of Alabama

The flagship university of the state, the University of Alabama was founded in 1831 and sits on a stunning 1,200-acre campus. With a student body totalling around 38,000, UA has achieved a significant number of impressive milestones and awards, all of which can be found here.
Comprising 120 credit hours for successful completion, this major in communication studies offers a number of concentrations, including rhetoric and public discourse, organizational leadership, and interpersonal communication. While you’re not required to select a focused study area, you will be offered guidance from an academic advisor in choosing your individualized program of study.
Additionally, there are three minors that you can pair with this program, including communication studies, leadership communication, and an online COM minor. The online minor is structured around organizational leadership and will require you to complete a specific set of courses and electives. More information on these programs is available here.
With the exception of distance degrees, students at this university pay around $5,390 tuition for full-time programs. Non-residents pay around $15,125. Part-time students are instead subject to charges on a credit basis, with a single credit costing either $615 or $1,550 depending on residency.
University of South Carolina

Founded in 1801, the University of South Carolina’s history dates back over 200 years. The institution is within the top 3% in the nation for having the largest number of African American graduates, and it has been ranked as the country’s best first-year experience for students among public universities.
This bachelor’s program is ideal for students who haven’t yet chosen their ideal career, as you will gain a broad understanding of the communications industry. You’ll also understand how to analyze and explain the role of media in society and culture. Students regularly choose career paths in public relations, business leadership, advertising, and even law school.
Within the curriculum there are two capstone courses centered around media criticism and ethics, which will allow you to develop your critical thinking skills, while understanding how to independently analyze situations. You’ll also be given the opportunity to complete an internship in all fields of communications, including news reporting and broadcasting. Tuition at the University of South Carolina has been recognized by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and The Princeton Review for their value. Residents pay total costs of around $26,373 annually, while non-residents pay around $47,613. For more information, you can use the university’s cost calculator here.
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan has achieved a broad number of impressive rankings for its programs, reputation, and student life. These include ranking at number one for being the best U.S. public university and being situated in the best small college town in the nation.
This communication and media degree program looks at emerging mass media and how it is used and regulated within the industry. You’ll gain a wide understanding of the history and applications of mass media, including its influence on culture, how it is employed in politics, economy, and public policy making, and how it impacts on democracy.
To declare this major, you’ll need to have completed COMM 101 and COMM 102 to a minimum standard of C. You’ll also need to complete a minimum of 28 credits in communication and media; more information on program requirements can be found on this page of the university’s website.
For Michigan residents, tuition and fees come to around $15,948 annually, with housing and meal plans and other expenses bringing the total to around $31,484. Non-residents pay tuition and fees of approximately $52,266 and a total of around $66,698. There is an additional application fee of $75.
University of South Florida

Located in Tampa, the University of South Florida is part of the State University System of Florida. Main campus is located in Tampa Bay, with additional campuses based in Sarasota-Manatee and St. Petersburg. Combined, all of these campuses serve a student body that’s around 50,000-strong.
Under the Zimmerman School, you can choose from two undergraduate majors; the BA in mass communications prepares future broadcast journalists or advertising professionals. The other major is a BS in integrated public relations and advertising. There is also a minor in mass communications for those studying another major.
As a student enrolled in the mass communications program, you can choose a concentration in either broadcast news or production. Broadcast news students commonly aspire towards careers as a news reporter or producer, while students that opt for the production concentration often find work as a TV director, video editors, or production assistant for example.
University of South Florida tuition is approximately $4,559 annually for residents of the state, which is almost 40% cheaper than the national average for four-year public universities. Fees are around $1,851, bringing the total tuition and fee cost to around $6,410.
Indiana University – Bloomington

The flagship university of the Indiana University system, Indiana University Bloomington serves more than 40,000 students annually. The institution was founded in 1820 and collaborates with six other campuses and two regional centers within the state. Several academic programs have been ranked within the top 10 nationally, with some ranking number one.
This university offers a bachelor’s degree in media with a concentration in media advertising. While not specifically a communications degree, students enrolled in this program still gain an in-depth understanding of communications in the context of advertising. You’ll assess consumer and audience behavior, developing skills that will allow you to develop and execute your own campaigns.
Elective coursework within this concentration will give you practical experience too; you’ll be able to select courses in campaign planning, branding, and leadership, in addition to advanced research methodology. You’ll also take part in workshops and practicums that will allow you to put the knowledge you’ve acquired into practice Tuition fees at Indiana University – Bloomington have been recognized for their excellent value for money. Tuition and fees for Indiana residents comes to around $11,220, with non-residents paying around $37,600. Including room and board, the total direct costs are around $22,426 and $48,806 respectively.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has origins that date back to the 1700s. Today, around 20,000 undergraduate and 11,000 graduate and professional students call it home. Students choose from over 100 master’s degree programs and around 75 bachelor’s degree programs. It’s the only public university in the nation to have been awarding degrees since the 18th century.
As part of this bachelor’s program, you’ll have access to an extensive internship program, which offers placements within media-affiliated organizations in the industry; over 100 organizations are linked to the program. A second program, the Hollywood Internship Program, offers summer placements and further study in specific areas for students who want to work in the film industry.
There are a wealth of other development opportunities available to students enrolled in this program. For example, you may be able to obtain an internship—or even employment—with local public television and radio stations, and there are also opportunities available to get involved in play and screenwriting, or even acting in staged productions. North Carolina residents pay tuition and fees of approximately $9,018, while out-of-state students pay significantly more at around $36,000. The total estimated cost of attendance, including housing and meals, books and supplies, and other expenses is around $24,266 and $52,026 respectively. You can view a full breakdown here.
Texas State University

Texas State University first opened its doors to students in 1903, welcoming just 303 students in total. Today, more than 38,000 students enroll in one of over 200 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. TSU is also the only university in the state to have graduated a U.S. President.
Within this degree program in mass communication, you will study the various forms of mass media that exist in the fields of advertising, broadcasting, publishing, and public relations. You will study the various forms of media and how they impact on society and culture.
As part of the program, you’ll be given the opportunity to apply your knowledge, creating your own media projects as part of certain courses. While it is not a requirement of the degree program, you’ll be encouraged and supported in finding an internship, with assistance offered by an internship coordinator. Their links with employers will allow you to find an ideal placement.
The estimated cost of attendance for a Texas resident is around $27,000 for those living on campus, which includes $11,860 in tuition and fees. For non-residents, this figure rises to a total of around $39,660 including tuition and fees of around $24,520.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s athletes are known as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. Competing since as early as 1901, these athletes compete in a range of NCAA Division I sports, with 16 varsity teams. It’s the second-largest university in the state and home to around 19,000 students.
Communications programs at the University of Louisiana Lafayette are designed to equip you with the skills needed to adapt to a constantly evolving media industry. You’ll gain a strong grounding in all verbal, written, and visual forms of communication, and you’ll be prepared to enter a range of different careers.
Your concentration options include advertising, broadcasting, journalism, public relations, and organizational communication. You will also complete an internship in your senior year, which will give you hands-on experience with direct supervision. This is in addition to a capstone course, requiring you to gather and apply all the knowledge you’ve acquired.
Tuition and fees for a state resident living on-campus will typically come to around $10,370. Out-of-state students add approximately $13,728 annually to this figure. Books and supplies are estimated at around $1,300, while room and board costs approximately $3,482 if living at home or $11,520 if living on-campus.
Michigan State University

Michigan State University (MSU) is a Top 100 Global University with a total enrollment of almost 50,000 students. The institution sits on 5,300 acres of land and offers more than 200 academic programs and 275 study abroad programs. There’s a 16:1 student to faculty ratio, and 34 of the institution’s programs rank within the top 25 nationally.
Michigan State University offers two bachelor’s degree programs, one in arts and communication and the other in communication leadership and strategy. The former program is a general degree that provides a broad understanding of the history of communication, communication contexts, and other related courses. The latter course is targeted towards organizational and strategic communication.
This university’s communication programs offer a wide range of concentrations. These include intercultural communication, social influence, research methods, interpersonal communication, digital media, health communication, and organizational communication. Regardless of your intentions after graduation, there are sufficient choices to prepare you for any career that requires strong communication knowledge and ability. Core undergraduate tuition costs around $482 per credit ($7,230 per semester) for full-time students taking between 12 and 18 units. This rises to $494 in sophomore year and to $555 in junior and senior years. The tuition calculator on the university’s website can give you a more accurate estimate of costs.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University

SWOSU’s student body represents 37 countries from around the world, in addition to 39 states. U.S. News & World Report has ranked this institution as the top regional university too. An average class contains 23 students and the student body is supported by a faculty of 205 experts.
SWOSU’s bachelor’s degree in communication arts features three areas of emphasis, including speech communication, theatre, and mass communication. This is a unique program that will require you to participate in four full-length theatre productions, with one typically scheduled in each year of study.
Students specializing in the communication studies option will typically focus on courses such as persuasion, small group communication, communication theory, and organizational communication. Theatre option courses are more geared towards stage management, stage craft, and directing and producing, while mass communication courses are suitable for those interested in publishing or news reporting. Undergraduate tuition at SWOSU is charged on a per-credit basis, with costs ranging from $248.75 to $1,119 depending on your residency and course type. A full list of tuition and fees can be found on this page of the university’s website.
College of Staten Island (CUNY)

The College of Staten Island CUNY is a new institution, with the campus being completed in 1994. Sitting on 204 acres, it’s the largest college site in New York City—excluding online campuses—and is set in a stunning natural landscape. Facilities include 300 classrooms and laboratories.
The Department of Media Culture offers four distinct specializations as part of their bachelor’s degree. These include the media studies concentration, corporate communications concentration, journalism concentration, and design and digital media concentration. In total, the program comprises 42 credits general education requirements, plus 49-62 major requirements, and 16-29 electives.
Students who choose to major in communications are recommended to choose a minor to supplement their course. Your choice of minor should be suited to your intended future career, which will be discussed with a faculty advisor. To graduate, you will be expected to maintain a 3.5 GPA in communications-related courses.
Full-time matriculated students who are state residents pay tuition of around $3,465 per semester, while non-residents pay on a per-credit basis, with credits costing around $620. Part-time students pay around $305 – $620 per credit, with non-degree students paying between $445 – $915.
North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina A&T State University’s history dates back around 130 years. Over 12,000 students attend annually and are collectively known as Aggies. The institution is also the most affordable of the 23 North Carolina Universities according to Money magazine list of Best Colleges.
The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences offers a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication. With the speed with which the industry is evolving, students will be imparted with a broad understanding of critical subjects within the communications discipline.
Graduates of this program commonly progress into roles in public relations, multimedia journalism, and mass media production. You’ll study key topics that can be applied to a range of careers, including journalism, persuasion, multimedia communication, and legal and ethical issues. Undergraduate students at North Carolina A&T State University pay around $1,770 in tuition each semester, with non-residents paying around $2,372.50. Including fees and insurance, the total cost of attendance is around $4,636.81 and $5,239.31 per semester, respectively. You can find a full table of rates and fees on this page from the university’s website.
University of Texas of The Permian Basin

UT Permian Basin was founded in 1969 and has campuses based in Midland, Texas and Odessa. Situated on 600 acres of land, the university is comprised of 5 schools and colleges and offers 35 undergraduate degree programs. The university’s mascot is the Falcon, with student-athletes maintaining a higher GPA average than the rest of the student body.
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin offers four options in the discipline of communication. The Bachelor of Arts in communication is offered as a face-to-face program or an online, distance learning degree. There is a third option coupled with teacher certification, in addition to a minor in communication.
The bachelor’s degree program comprises 120 credit hours, with a minimum of 30 hours needing to be completed at UT Permian Basin. Additionally, you must achieve a minimum grade of C- in each course to continue into each subsequent year. All UTPB students take the same 42-credit core curriculum courses.
Undergraduate students studying on a full-time basis—comprising 15 or more hours per semester—pay tuition and fees of around $8,200 as Texas residents. Non-residents pay around $9,250 in tuition and fees. Housing and meals cost around $10,970 for both student groups; thus, the total cost of attendance is around $19,170 or $20,220 respectively.
University of Memphis

The University of Memphis sits in a quiet suburban neighborhood within Memphis, Tennessee. Around 21,000 students attend annually from across the world. Founded in 1912, the university features five Centers of Excellence in addition to 25 Chairs of Excellence. Student-athletes are known as Tigers.
Students enrolling in this bachelor’s program are expected to take a minimum of 42 and maximum of 48 credit hours of coursework with the Department of Journalism and Strategic Media. This public relations BA covers topics including visual media, media law, precision language, media ethics, and media history.
Comprising 120 credit hours in total, the program also requires that you complete a student media practicum. This involves working in a practical capacity within student media organizations, with a minimum of 40 hours required per credit hour. A full breakdown of courses can be found on this page. Undergraduates typically pay around $9,912 in tuition at the University of Memphis if they are state residents; non-residents pay around $13,752. There are however different bandings depending upon other status, which you can find here. There’s also a useful cost of attendance calculator on the university’s website for more accurate estimates.
University of Texas – San Antonio

The University of Texas at San Antonio welcomes around 34,000 students annually, making it the largest higher education institution in the San Antonio area. The university has plans to expand its student body by more than 10,000 by 2028, in addition to expanding its downtown campus.
Students enrolled in this bachelor’s program will have the option to choose specialized courses in addition to selecting one of three concentrations. These are digital communication, public relations, and health communication. The program curriculum emphasizes the study of communications within a multicultural, metropolitan context.
The digital communication track covers how information is created, produced, and distributed across different contexts and formats. The health communication concentration will impart you with the knowledge needed to understand how individuals and organizations promote and communication health topics. And the public relations concentration investigates how government and corporations manage their communications and relationships with the wider public. Undergraduate tuition and fees at the University of Texas San Antonio change from year to year. However, the university allows prospective students to download comprehensive tables containing tuition and fees information from their financial affairs website. You can access these files on this page.
Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University has a relatively small enrollment of just over 7,000 students. Established in 1905, it was originally a teacher’s college. Undergraduates have a choice of more than 125 degree programs, while graduate students may choose from 40 options. Every full-time student enrolling is also given a laptop to benefit their studies.
In addition to a minor in agricultural communications or broadcasting, students at Northwestern Missouri State University have access to three bachelor’s degrees in communication, each with a different emphasis. These include interpersonal communication, organizational communication, rhetoric, and public relations. Other options include digital media and mass media programs.
Each of these programs falls under the remit of the School of Communication and Mass Media. If choosing one of these programs, you should think carefully about which one aligns with your career aspirations, as the electives will be specific to the different skills and knowledge needed for the relevant careers.
Typical undergraduate tuition costs $212.76 per credit for Missouri residents, in addition to a general fee, textbook fee, and technology fee that bring the total costs to $354.16 per credit. Non-residents pay a total of $602.39 per credit including fees. Blended courses attract an additional $10 per credit, and online courses $40 per credit.
Brooklyn College (CUNY)

Undergraduates have a choice of more than 82 academic programs, which benefit from the Core Curriculum program. This is designed to help you acclimatize to college life; it features numerous activities that take place prior to starting your freshman year.
This program’s curriculum provides an in-depth understanding of the history of communication, in addition to research methods in this discipline, and the necessary cultural, legal, and ethical issues that you must be aware of. Comprising between 38 and 41 credits, you’ll take 26-27 core credits and choose 12 credits from concentrations.
There is an internship requirement, though this may be waived for students working in a full-time capacity within a related field. Additionally, special courses subjects may be used towards program requirements where agreed with the program director. More information on this program’s courses can be found on this page. In addition to residency, your tuition can also be affected by your classification; that is, whether you’re a new, continuing, matriculated, or non-degree student. New York State residents pay around $3,465 per semester, while non-residents pay per-credit at around $620. More information on undergraduate rates is available on the website.
Weber State University

Weber State University was founded in 1889 and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. At Weber, students can choose from around 225 degree programs and certificates, with the student body comprising roughly 92% in-state students. Their mascot is Waldo the Wildcat.
This program at Weber provides a broad study of communications, including a number of interdisciplinary tracks. You can choose to specialize in copywriting, marketing, visual communication, healthcare public relations, and international public relations. Regardless of your choice, you’ll also gain a broad understanding of advertising, marketing, and news reporting and writing.
Graduates of this program will be especially prepared for careers in public relations, which could include working in sales or advertising, or as a marketing specialist, product manager, or PR specialist. You will also have the chance to become a member of the student-run public relations firm, which could see you awarded a tuition fee waiver.
Full-time undergraduate tuition at Weber State University costs $5,090 per two semesters for Utah residents and $15,272 for non-residents. Fees total $847, with an estimated $800 for books and between $5,845 – $10,638 for room and board on-campus. The university awards over $90 million in scholarships and aid each year.
If you’re interested in pursuing higher education, then you should check out 25 Best Colleges for Working Students and 25 Best Online Colleges!