Rankings, Salaries & Courses
If your interest lies in a career in the media, marketing, or broadcasting, consider an online mass communications degree. You’ll learn about theories, research, and practices in both modern and historical communication. As you move through a bachelor’s in media communications, courses focus on more specific elements of communication, including how the media affects our culture, society, and politics. Coursework also provides you with numerous skills related to audio and video, writing and editing, and communication technology.
Because today’s technology evolves so rapidly, now is a great time to seek an online bachelor’s degree in media communications. And, you can do so through distance education, taking all or most of your classes online–often without ever stepping foot on an actual campus.
This guide features all you need to know to research media communications bachelor’s degrees online. Below you’ll find information on salary and job outlook, curriculum and concentration options, accreditation, and scholarships and financial aid.
How Much Can You Make in a Media Communications Career?
An online mass communications degree gives you a wide variety of career options spanning the fields of journalism, multimedia production, digital marketing, public relations, advertising, and corporate communication. While no degree can guarantee you a specific job or salary, you’ll find numerous potential career paths through an online bachelor’s degree in media communications.
Below we have compiled job growth and salary information for those with a bachelor’s in media communications. This program provides students with critical skills and knowledge in digital media, writing and editing, and communication to prepare them for these careers.
Because many online mass communications degree holders go on to become radio and TV announcers, we have compiled a list of job growth and salary data on this profession for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. You will notice significant differences in the data depending on the state or region, as bigger media markets tend to see higher rates of pay for these professionals. Those working in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston, for example, tend to bring in higher salaries than those in smaller markets.
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Alabama
Median Annual Salary: $23,020
Number Currently Employed: 450
Projected Job Growth: -11.2 percent
-
Alaska
Median Annual Salary: $38,820
Number Currently Employed: 130
Projected Job Growth: -21.7 percent
-
Arizona
Median Annual Salary: $33,940
Number Currently Employed: N/A
Projected Job Growth: N/A
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Arkansas
Median Annual Salary: $19,420
Number Currently Employed: 440
Projected Job Growth: -7.3 percent
-
California
Median Annual Salary: N/A
Number Currently Employed: 4,200
Projected Job Growth: -4.8 percent
-
Colorado
Median Annual Salary: $35,240
Number Currently Employed: 680
Projected Job Growth: -1.5 percent
-
District of Columbia (DC)
Median Annual Salary: $62,770
Number Currently Employed: 210
Projected Job Growth: -8.2 percent
-
Connecticut
Median Annual Salary: $28,950
Number Currently Employed: 440
Projected Job Growth: -8.6 percent
-
Delaware
Median Annual Salary: N/A
Number Currently Employed: N/A
Projected Job Growth: N/A
-
Florida
Median Annual Salary: $28,870
Number Currently Employed: 2,370
Projected Job Growth: -0.4 percent
-
Georgia
Median Annual Salary: $30,540
Number Currently Employed: 850
Projected Job Growth: -6.6 percent
-
Hawaii
Median Annual Salary: $31,100
Number Currently Employed: 220
Projected Job Growth: -14.7 percent
-
Idaho
Median Annual Salary: N/A
Number Currently Employed: 80
Projected Job Growth: -4 percent
-
Illinois
Median Annual Salary: $29,080
Number Currently Employed: 1,630
Projected Job Growth: -10.6 percent
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Indiana
Median Annual Salary: $26,070
Number Currently Employed: 760
Projected Job Growth: -11.8 percent
-
Iowa
Median Annual Salary: $27,800
Number Currently Employed: 930
Projected Job Growth: -3.7 percent
-
Kansas
Median Annual Salary: $25,480
Number Currently Employed: 620
Projected Job Growth: -23 percent
-
Kentucky
Median Annual Salary: $23,380
Number Currently Employed: 920
Projected Job Growth: -9.4 percent
-
Lousiana
Median Annual Salary: $30,390
Number Currently Employed: 470
Projected Job Growth: -8.5 percent
-
Maine
Median Annual Salary: $32,950
Number Currently Employed: 250
Projected Job Growth: -18.1 percent
-
Maryland
Median Annual Salary: $44,930
Number Currently Employed: 380
Projected Job Growth: +17.1 percent
-
Massachusuetts
Median Annual Salary: N/A
Number Currently Employed: N/A
Projected Job Growth: N/A
-
Michigan
Median Annual Salary: $30,130
Number Currently Employed: 980
Projected Job Growth: -11.2 percent
-
Minnesota
Median Annual Salary: $28,390
Number Currently Employed: 970
Projected Job Growth: -13.5 percent
-
Mississippi
Median Annual Salary: $25,340
Number Currently Employed: 320
Projected Job Growth: -5.3 percent
-
Missouri
Median Annual Salary: $23,370
Number Currently Employed: 1,410
Projected Job Growth: -13.3 percent
-
Montana
Median Annual Salary: $23,080
Number Currently Employed: 290
Projected Job Growth: -10.6 percent
-
Nebraska
Median Annual Salary: $30,960
Number Currently Employed: 670
Projected Job Growth: +0.3 percent
-
Nevada
Median Annual Salary: $30,900
Number Currently Employed: 340
Projected Job Growth: -17.6 percent
-
New Hampsire
Median Annual Salary: $30,710
Number Currently Employed: 140
Projected Job Growth: -14.4 percent
-
New Jersey
Median Annual Salary: $44,410
Number Currently Employed: N/A
Projected Job Growth: N/A
-
New Mexico
Median Annual Salary: $34,440
Number Currently Employed: 320
Projected Job Growth: -15.2 percent
-
New York
Median Annual Salary: $42,530
Number Currently Employed: 2,760
Projected Job Growth: -0.7 percent
-
North Carolina
Median Annual Salary: $26,140
Number Currently Employed: 1,280
Projected Job Growth: -12.6 percent
-
North Dakota
Median Annual Salary: $30,710
Number Currently Employed: 220
Projected Job Growth: -15.7 percent
-
Ohio
Median Annual Salary: $32,370
Number Currently Employed: 1,350
Projected Job Growth: -14.7 percent
-
Oklahoma
Median Annual Salary: $27,870
Number Currently Employed: 370
Projected Job Growth: -13.8 percent
-
Oregon
Median Annual Salary: $37,920
Number Currently Employed: 450
Projected Job Growth: -8.7 percent
-
Pennsylvania
Median Annual Salary: $25,170
Number Currently Employed: N/A
Projected Job Growth: N/A
-
Rhode Island
Median Annual Salary: $28,700
Number Currently Employed: 130
Projected Job Growth: -6.8 percent
-
South Carolina
Median Annual Salary: $29,430
Number Currently Employed: 360
Projected Job Growth: -0.3 percent
-
South Dakota
Median Annual Salary: $31,050
Number Currently Employed: 560
Projected Job Growth: -5.9 percent
-
Tennessee
Median Annual Salary: $26,080
Number Currently Employed: 1,160
Projected Job Growth: -3.2 percent
-
Texas
Median Annual Salary: $36,840
Number Currently Employed: N/A
Projected Job Growth: N/A
-
Utah
Median Annual Salary: $38,700
Number Currently Employed: 350
Projected Job Growth: +10.1 percent
-
Vermont
Median Annual Salary: $32,150
Number Currently Employed: 330
Projected Job Growth: -9.8 percent
-
Virginia
Median Annual Salary: $31,580
Number Currently Employed: 890
Projected Job Growth: -14.5 percent
-
Washington
Median Annual Salary: $36,470
Number Currently Employed: 860
Projected Job Growth: -9.6 percent
-
West Virginia
Median Annual Salary: $27,030
Number Currently Employed: 260
Projected Job Growth: -11.5 percent
-
Wisconsin
Median Annual Salary: $30,240
Number Currently Employed: 1,050
Projected Job Growth: -14.8 percent
-
Wyoming
Median Annual Salary: $36,120
Number Currently Employed: 50
Projected Job Growth: -17 percent
-
Alabama
Median Annual Salary: $23,020
Number Currently Employed: 450
Projected Job Growth: -11.2 percent
-
Alaska
Median Annual Salary: $38,820
Number Currently Employed: 130
Projected Job Growth: -21.7 percent
-
Arizona
Median Annual Salary: $33,940
Number Currently Employed: N/A
Projected Job Growth: N/A
-
Arkansas
Median Annual Salary: $19,420
Number Currently Employed: 440
Projected Job Growth: -7.3 percent
-
California
Median Annual Salary: N/A
Number Currently Employed: 4,200
Projected Job Growth: -4.8 percent
-
Colorado
Median Annual Salary: $35,240
Number Currently Employed: 680
Projected Job Growth: -1.5 percent
-
District of Columbia (DC)
Median Annual Salary: $62,770
Number Currently Employed: 210
Projected Job Growth: -8.2 percent
-
Connecticut
Median Annual Salary: $28,950
Number Currently Employed: 440
Projected Job Growth: -8.6 percent
-
Delaware
Median Annual Salary: N/A
Number Currently Employed: N/A
Projected Job Growth: N/A
-
Florida
Median Annual Salary: $28,870
Number Currently Employed: 2,370
Projected Job Growth: -0.4 percent
-
Georgia
Median Annual Salary: $30,540
Number Currently Employed: 850
Projected Job Growth: -6.6 percent
-
Hawaii
Median Annual Salary: $31,100
Number Currently Employed: 220
Projected Job Growth: -14.7 percent
-
Idaho
Median Annual Salary: N/A
Number Currently Employed: 80
Projected Job Growth: -4 percent
-
Illinois
Median Annual Salary: $29,080
Number Currently Employed: 1,630
Projected Job Growth: -10.6 percent
-
Indiana
Median Annual Salary: $26,070
Number Currently Employed: 760
Projected Job Growth: -11.8 percent
-
Iowa
Median Annual Salary: $27,800
Number Currently Employed: 930
Projected Job Growth: -3.7 percent
-
Kansas
Median Annual Salary: $25,480
Number Currently Employed: 620
Projected Job Growth: -23 percent
-
Kentucky
Median Annual Salary: $23,380
Number Currently Employed: 920
Projected Job Growth: -9.4 percent
-
Lousiana
Median Annual Salary: $30,390
Number Currently Employed: 470
Projected Job Growth: -8.5 percent
-
Maine
Median Annual Salary: $32,950
Number Currently Employed: 250
Projected Job Growth: -18.1 percent
-
Maryland
Median Annual Salary: $44,930
Number Currently Employed: 380
Projected Job Growth: +17.1 percent
-
Massachusuetts
Median Annual Salary: N/A
Number Currently Employed: N/A
Projected Job Growth: N/A
-
Michigan
Median Annual Salary: $30,130
Number Currently Employed: 980
Projected Job Growth: -11.2 percent
-
Minnesota
Median Annual Salary: $28,390
Number Currently Employed: 970
Projected Job Growth: -13.5 percent
-
Mississippi
Median Annual Salary: $25,340
Number Currently Employed: 320
Projected Job Growth: -5.3 percent
-
Missouri
Median Annual Salary: $23,370
Number Currently Employed: 1,410
Projected Job Growth: -13.3 percent
-
Montana
Median Annual Salary: $23,080
Number Currently Employed: 290
Projected Job Growth: -10.6 percent
-
Nebraska
Median Annual Salary: $30,960
Number Currently Employed: 670
Projected Job Growth: +0.3 percent
-
Nevada
Median Annual Salary: $30,900
Number Currently Employed: 340
Projected Job Growth: -17.6 percent
-
New Hampsire
Median Annual Salary: $30,710
Number Currently Employed: 140
Projected Job Growth: -14.4 percent
-
New Jersey
Median Annual Salary: $44,410
Number Currently Employed: N/A
Projected Job Growth: N/A
-
New Mexico
Median Annual Salary: $34,440
Number Currently Employed: 320
Projected Job Growth: -15.2 percent
-
New York
Median Annual Salary: $42,530
Number Currently Employed: 2,760
Projected Job Growth: -0.7 percent
-
North Carolina
Median Annual Salary: $26,140
Number Currently Employed: 1,280
Projected Job Growth: -12.6 percent
-
North Dakota
Median Annual Salary: $30,710
Number Currently Employed: 220
Projected Job Growth: -15.7 percent
-
Ohio
Median Annual Salary: $32,370
Number Currently Employed: 1,350
Projected Job Growth: -14.7 percent
-
Oklahoma
Median Annual Salary: $27,870
Number Currently Employed: 370
Projected Job Growth: -13.8 percent
-
Oregon
Median Annual Salary: $37,920
Number Currently Employed: 450
Projected Job Growth: -8.7 percent
-
Pennsylvania
Median Annual Salary: $25,170
Number Currently Employed: N/A
Projected Job Growth: N/A
-
Rhode Island
Median Annual Salary: $28,700
Number Currently Employed: 130
Projected Job Growth: -6.8 percent
-
South Carolina
Median Annual Salary: $29,430
Number Currently Employed: 360
Projected Job Growth: -0.3 percent
-
South Dakota
Median Annual Salary: $31,050
Number Currently Employed: 560
Projected Job Growth: -5.9 percent
-
Tennessee
Median Annual Salary: $26,080
Number Currently Employed: 1,160
Projected Job Growth: -3.2 percent
-
Texas
Median Annual Salary: $36,840
Number Currently Employed: N/A
Projected Job Growth: N/A
-
Utah
Median Annual Salary: $38,700
Number Currently Employed: 350
Projected Job Growth: +10.1 percent
-
Vermont
Median Annual Salary: $32,150
Number Currently Employed: 330
Projected Job Growth: -9.8 percent
-
Virginia
Median Annual Salary: $31,580
Number Currently Employed: 890
Projected Job Growth: -14.5 percent
-
Washington
Median Annual Salary: $36,470
Number Currently Employed: 860
Projected Job Growth: -9.6 percent
-
West Virginia
Median Annual Salary: $27,030
Number Currently Employed: 260
Projected Job Growth: -11.5 percent
-
Wisconsin
Median Annual Salary: $30,240
Number Currently Employed: 1,050
Projected Job Growth: -14.8 percent
-
Wyoming
Median Annual Salary: $36,120
Number Currently Employed: 50
Projected Job Growth: -17 percent
What Courses Can be Taken for an Online Media Communications Degree?
As you embark on your media communications bachelor’s degree online, you may take many different core and elective courses that expand your knowledge and skills across numerous subjects. While these programs differ in terms of their curricula, you’ll likely find some similarities when researching degree options. Be sure to look into the details of each school and program to find specific requirements. The list below includes five examples of courses common to a bachelor’s degree in media communications.
Multimedia Communication
Students learn how to tell stories and create brand strategies using new and traditional media. The course applies principles of journalism to enable students to learn key skills that serve them well in communications-focused careers.
Introduction to Audio Techniques
Students learn the basics of processing audio through sound production, editing, mixing, and adjusting wide-band processors. The course serves as a strong foundation for more complex work in audio processing as students move through the program.
Principles of Digital Communication
This course examines digital and social media, including tools like Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, Instagram, Snapchat, and emerging apps and networks. Students learn how to use principles of communications and design to best leverage these platforms.
Integrated Marketing Methods
Students explore brand messaging across numerous channels, including both traditional and new media. The course incorporates principles of marketing, public relations, advertising, and storytelling to reach key stakeholder groups.
Strategic Communication
This course helps students expand their writing and editing abilities and create a variety of content relevant to public relations, advertising, and marketing campaigns. Students also learn how to think strategically about communication.
How to Choose the Best Online Media Communications Program
With all the options out there, it can be difficult to pick the right bachelor’s degree in media communications for you. To make the process a little easier, examine each program you are considering and look at factors like the school’s reputation, accreditation status, courses offered, the quality of the faculty, and tuition and fees. Below you will find answers to several common questions students have when narrowing down their online mass communications degree options.
Which Strategies Should I Follow When Selecting Media Communications Courses?
Nearly all online mass communications degree programs post their curricula online. Review the classes available and find those that interest you and relate to your career goals. Determine elective course options in addition to the program’s required core classes. Make sure the bachelor’s in media communications program in which you enroll offers you a solid foundation of courses, while still enabling you to select from a variety of electives to round out your education.
Should I Look for a Specific Curriculum Focus in My Program?
This depends largely on how you wish to use your bachelor’s degree in media communications to explore future careers. If you know you want to become a TV producer, marketing consultant, or journalist, for example, look for programs that allow you to concentrate your courses in these subjects. Pursuing a more general online mass communications degree might work best if you’re still unsure of your exact career path, but know you want to serve in communications in some capacity.
What Should I Look for When Evaluating the Faculty of Each Program?
Review the credentials of the faculty members within each online bachelor’s degree in media communications under your consideration. Many communications instructors have real-world experience in TV or radio production, reporting, public relations, marketing, or related fields. Ensure instructors have been teaching at the college level for a significant amount of time. The best professors often have a good mix of professional and academic experience behind them.
How Will I Complete an Internship If My Program Is Online?
Even if you live far away from your school’s campus, your bachelor’s in media communications program may still help with placing you in a required internship. In some cases you may need to find an internship on your own and obtain approval from your program adviser before you start. While securing an internship can be a little more challenging for distance learners, you may find you have more flexibility in finding the right fit for you.
How Will an Online Mass Communications Degree Help Me Reach My Career Goals?
While no degree can guarantee you’ll reach your career goals, a media communications bachelor’s degree online provides you with an important credential as you look to enter communications-focused fields. These programs give you in-depth knowledge on the strategies, tactics, and tools used to communicate to audiences across a wide variety of channels. An online mass communications degree indicates to employers that you have a strong understanding of what it means to achieve success in a challenging field.
Scholarships & Financial Aid for Media Communications Programs
Although you have numerous options when funding your media communications bachelor’s degree online, scholarships and grants provide you with money you do not need to pay back. Applying for scholarships specifically for mass communications students could help you reduce the total cost of your higher education. In addition, these scholarships may provide you with networking and internship opportunities that give you a career boost before you even finish your degree.
This scholarship, offered through the Broadcast Education Association (BEA), provides two yearly awards of $1,500 each to those seeking an electronic media-related degree. Qualified recipients must attend a BEA-approved and accredited two- or four-year postsecondary institution. Applicants must have an above-average academic record and demonstrate enthusiasm and talent for electronic media. The award committee looks for students who operate with a high level of integrity and personal responsibility.
Students between the ages of 17 and 24 and who are enrolled full time at an accredited U.S. college or university may apply for this $5,000 scholarship from the BMI Foundation. Applicants must also major in broadcast engineering, communications, journalism, electronic media, or a related discipline. The award includes a four- to six-week internship with a major broadcaster, allowing recipients to get both financial support and valuable experience in the field.
Made available from the Radio Television Digital News Foundation, this $2,000 scholarship is awarded to a college student seeking a bachelor’s degree in journalism, radio, or television. Eligible students must be in good academic standing, provide up to five work samples, have significant experience, and include a cover letter detailing why they wish to pursue a career in communications. The application also requests a letter of recommendation and a current resume.
The Ennes Educational Foundation Trust offers several scholarships to those interested in broadcast engineering as a career field. These awards offer financial assistance for tuition, room and board, and textbook and technology expenses. Each year, the foundation provides at least three awards at $1,500 each. The scholarship committee places a preference on applicants who are members of the Society of Broadcast Engineers.
Established in honor of a long-time member of the National Press Club, this scholarship provides a one-time award of $5,000 to a student aiming to focus his or her career on journalism. Applicants must indicate a commitment to the tenets of journalism and demonstrate a strong academic record. The application also asks for three work samples, three letters of recommendation, and a letter of acceptance from an accredited postsecondary institution.