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Best 20 Online Bachelor’s in Journalism in 2024

January 26, 2024 | Admin

There are many online bachelor’s in journalism programs to choose from. No matter where you are in the country, there is a school near you that can help you get your journalism degree. 

Top 5 Online Bachelors in Journalism

Rank School Location
1Montana State University BillingsBillings, Montana
2University of Colorado DenverDenver, Colorado
3State University of New York at OswegoOswego County, New York
4University of LouisvilleLouisville, Kentucky
5Arizona State University Tempe, Arizona

Why Get An Online Bachelor’s in Journalism?

A lot of career opportunities will open up to you with an online bachelor’s in journalism. With so many forms of media in today’s world, this degree gives you the kind of flexibility others don’t. It is so in demand that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities in communication and media are expected to rise 6% between now and 2026. 

As a journalism major, you’ll have access to resources that include the Society of Professional Journalists and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. 

We’ve put together a list of online bachelor’s in journalism programs and ranked them according to the cost of tuition (lowest is the best) and their total online enrollment (lower is the best.) Here is our list of the top 20 best online bachelor’s in journalism programs. 

Best 20 Online Bachelor’s in Journalism Programs

1

Montana State University Billings

  • Billings, Montana
  • Points: 100

When students enroll at Montana State University Billings for a Bachelor in Communication they can choose to specialize in Mass Communication. This specialization covers media studies and teaches students how to construct and deliver media messages, It also addresses how these messages affect the behaviors and attitudes of the public.

Graduating from this program prepares students for careers as news reporters, public relations assistants, advertising strategists, and corporate communication specialists.

School Overview

Tuition: $2,790 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 1,149
Visit School Website
2

University of Colorado Denver

  • Denver, Colorado
  • Points: 100

The University of Colorado Denver has an online Bachelor of Arts in Communication program where students can choose to specialize in areas that include Applied Digital Media Studies, and Media & Cultural Studies. The Applied Digital Media Studies specialization schools students on media theories and studies. It explores the connection between society, media, and culture. This specialization is recommended for students who have plans to move on to graduate school.

The Media & Cultural Studies specialization tackles the subject of newer forms of media, including video games and any platform accessed on the Internet, i.e. podcasts, blogs, and social networking sites.) This specialization looks at how technology affects peoples’ professional and personal lives., as well as its effects on culture.

School Overview

Tuition: $600 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 1,604
Visit School Website
3

State University of New York at Oswego

  • Oswego County, New York
  • Points: 100

The State University of New York at Oswego offers a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and Mass Communication. Some of the areas of study included in the program are broadcast journalism, audio, and video production, and copywriting and media management. The program thoroughly covers film, radio, TV, multimedia, and cable.

Those who complete this program are qualified to work in journalism, but also in public relations. advertising, corporate communications, and electronic or traditional broadcasting.

School Overview

Tuition: $3,535 per semester
Credit Hours: 42
Total Online Enrollment: 541
Visit School Website
4

University of Louisville

  • Louisville, Kentucky
  • Points: 90

U.S. News & World Report named the online bachelor’s in journalism degree at University of Louisville one of the best online programs for bachelor’s degrees in 2021. The school’s College of Arts & Sciences offers a bachelors in communication. Students can choose to earn a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Art. In order to receive a Bachelor of Science students are required to complete an internship before graduation. Those that pursue a Bachelor of Art do not need to complete an internship.

Completing this program prepares students to work in electronic and print media, as well as public relations and Communication Training and Development.

School Overview

Tuition: $7,537 per semester
Credit Hours: 121
Total Online Enrollment: 1,907
Visit School Website
5

Arizona State University

  • Tempe, Arizona
  • Points: 90

The online Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications & Media Studies at Arizona State University is led by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Arizona State has received the Mark of Excellence from the Society of Professional Journalists for the past 15+ years. The school has also been awarded the International Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, which was given based on their history of reporting on issues surrounding social justice.

Some of the careers this program prepares graduates for include Copy Writer, Freelance Writer, Market Research Analyst, Product Marketing and Promotions Manager, and Production Assistant.

School Overview

Tuition: $6,849 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 1,000
Visit School Website
6

Loyola University New Orleans

  • New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Points: 90

At the Loyola University New Orleans School of Communication and Design, students can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with a specialization in journalism. While enrolled in the program, students are tasked with creating a digital portfolio of their accomplishments. Once they’ve completed the program, graduates are qualified to work as a content/technical writer, journalist, business reporter, social media manager, and PR specialist.

School Overview

Tuition: $6,750 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 673
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7

University of Minnesota Crookstone

  • Crookston, Minnesota
  • Points: 90

At University of Minnesota Crookstone, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in communication. Students can choose an emphasis on social media, communication studies, or organizational communication/public relations. The social media focuses on its theories and practices, while communication studies focuses on critiquing communication, as well as theories and practices. The organizational communication emphasis focuses on leadership and conflict management.

School Overview

Tuition: $6,015 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 900
Visit School Website
8

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

  • Carbondale, Illinois
  • Points: 90

At the Southern Illinois University School of Journalism, the online Bachelor of Science degree program it is nearly identical to its on-campus counterpart and are taught by the same instructors. Students working towards a Bachelor of Science in this department can specialize in journalism and mass communication. Graduates of the program are qualified to work in digital media creation, news, public relations, and advertising.

School Overview

Tuition: $4,815 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 2,095
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9

New England College

  • Henniker, New Hampshire
  • Points: 90

New England College‘s Bachelor of Arts in Communication allows students to pursue the journalism concentration. The objectives of pursuing this concentration are to be able to critically evaluate the media, and to understand the various types of median platforms. Students who complete this program are qualified to work in positions such as copy writer, technical writer, and content producer, among others.

School Overview

Tuition: $6,225 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 1,055
Visit School Website
10

University of Northern Colorado

  • Greeley, Colorado
  • Points: 80

The University of Northern Colorado offers a Bachelors of Art in Communication Studies. The curriculum is based on how people communicate in society as well as in their personal and professional endeavors. It teaches skills like communication theory, organizational and intercultural communications, public speaking, and leadership.

Though it is not required, students have the option of taking on an internship during their studies.

School Overview

Tuition: $10,950 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 1,652
Visit School Website
11

University of North Dakota

  • Grand Forks, North Dakota
  • Points: 70

The University of North Dakota has been recognized as among the nation’s top online communications school. For that reason, many students pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Among the customizations that students can add to their degree is digital journalism. To earn this degree students are required to complete an internship or other experiential experience.

Students that complete this program are qualified to work in print and digital journalism, broadcasting, and advertising, among other fields. Alumni of the program have reported finding jobs in broadcasting, as social media managers, and as press secretaries.

School Overview

Tuition: $5,325 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 3,531
Visit School Website
12

Arkansas State University

  • Jonesboro, Arkansas
  • Points: 70

Arkansas State University is on the U.S. News & World Reports Top Public Schools and Regional Universities of the South list, at #25. Its Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies program focuses on experiential learning and communication theory in order to improve students’ communication skills.

School Overview

Tuition: $3,870 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 4,220
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13

Eastern Kentucky University

  • Richmond, Kentucky
  • Points: 70

The U.S. News & World Report has ranked Eastern Kentucky University as one of the best universities in the world to earn an online degree from. Its Bachelors in Communication Studies program prepares its graduates to work as communications specialists, consultants and relationship management. Online students have access to tutoring services if needed.

School Overview

Tuition: $6,135 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 3,578
Visit School Website
14

Indiana University

  • Points: 70

At Indiana University students can pursue a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. The curriculum includes cross-cultural and nonverbal communication, communication theories, and gender and communication.

School Overview

Tuition: $7,050 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 3,062
Visit School Website
15

University of Florida

  • Gainesville, Florida
  • Points: 70

University of Florida offers a unique online bachelor’s in journalism program where students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Journalism & Sports Media. The program is run by the school’s College of Journalism & Communications. It is considered to be among the country’s best journalism programs.

The degree is very customizable and lets students simultaneously study journalism and the sport of their choice. Curriculum is tailored to the specific sport each student picks, so no two students follow exactly the same path. Earning this degree qualifies graduates to work as journalists, sports reporters, sports broadcasters, and team communication specialists.

School Overview

Tuition: $1,935 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 4,766
Visit School Website
16

Colorado State University

  • Fort Collins, Colorado
  • Points: 60

As an accredited research university, Colorado State University makes it easy for students to pursue their career dreams. Its Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Communication program requires students to participate in an internship prior to graduation. Students can choose the news organization they want to intern at, including the college’s student media department.

The curriculum they must complete includes news and magazine writing, web design, and media ethics. Graduates of this program are qualified to work as investigative reporters, travel and freelance writers, and media producers or developers.

School Overview

Tuition: $,7140 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 19,083
Visit School Website
17

Northeastern University

  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • Points: 60

Northeastern University‘s College of Professional Studies offers a Bachelor of Science in Digital Communication and Media degree. This new program prepares students to work in today and tomorrow’s media. All students enrolled in this program are required to work in the school’s virtual PR Firm. Students are required to conceive of, launch, and manage a large communication campaign.

School Overview

Tuition: $16,230 per semester
Credit Hours: 120
Total Online Enrollment: 2,011
Visit School Website
18

Bellevue University

  • Bellevue, Nebraska
  • Points: 60

Those pursuing the Bellevue University Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies degree can choose the Mass Media track or the Organizational and Strategic Communication track. The Mass Media track includes classes like Communication and Popular Culture, Understanding Mass Media, and Writing For Media.The Organizational and Strategic Communication track focuses more on business communication, and public relations.

Regardless of which track students choose, they are required to build a portfolio during their time in the program. This includes research papers, public relations plans, and writing for different media styles. Those who are required to take public speaking can record themselves delivering a speech to an audience of their choosing.

School Overview

Tuition: $6,747 per semester
Credit Hours: 127
Total Online Enrollment: 7,690
Visit School Website
19

Drexel University

  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Points: 40

Drexel’s online Bachelor’s Degree in Communication program prepares you for a wide variety of roles in the field of communication. You will take coursework that emphasizes communication theory and methods with the option of completing a concentration in Public Relations or General Communication, where you will learn about journalism, public relations, and technical communication.

School Overview

Tuition: $543 per credit
Credit Hours: 180
Undergraduate student population: 15,414
Visit School Website
20

Mississippi College

  • Clinton, Mississippi
  • Points: 30

At Mississippi College, students can earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication with a concentration in journalism. The journalism concentration trains students to work as on-air personalities, reporters, editors, writers, and producers.

Still unsure which online Bachelor’s in Journalism program is right for you? Our Degree Finder will help make the decision easier for you.

School Overview

Tuition: $9,450 per semester
Credit Hours: 130
Total Online Enrollment: unknown
Visit School Website

How We Rank Schools

We took the online tuition rates for each school and total online enrollment data from Google. Schools that don’t have a separate online tuition rate generally charge the in-state rate, which is the criteria we used to make our calculations. We based our calculations on the standard four-year program for a bachelor’s degree. 

First we sort by tuition, and then by total online enrollment. Then we assign points in both categories for each school. The maximum number of points either category is assigned is 50. By adding the two numbers together, we determine a school’s ranking on our list.

Did We Rank Wrong?

It is always our goal to provide the most accurate information possible for each school. If you work for one of the schools on our list and feel it is ranked incorrectly, please contact us. We will immediately fix our error. 

Find the program that’s right for you

Whether you’re trying to start your career or make a big change, we can help you find the perfect school to help you reach your goals.

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