Online Master's Degree in Communications - Best of 2024

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Why Earn a Master’s in Communications?

A Master of Arts in Communication can open a great number of opportunities for careers in communications. Just take a look to see how you can use this to advance your career in marketing, healthcare, education, public relations, and corporate communication. How you use the degree is completely reliant on what you want to achieve. You can choose from a number of specializations or earn a dual MBA while you finish your graduate degree program. Propel yourself forward in your current career or make a hard turn into something you’re interested in elsewhere. The sky’s the limit.

Communication programs at the Master of Arts level includes very little unnecessary coursework as part of the curriculum. Instead, it will focus on core courses that will help you succeed when you return to your career in the real world by improving your communication skills. Some of this coursework might cover the following subjects, though each master's in communication program can be different, especially if you choose a concetration.

Digital Media Communication
Market Research and Research Methods
Strategic Communications - Strategic Marketing Communications
Branding and Messaging Stategies
Digital Communication Strategies
Public Relations and Corporate and Organizational Communication
Journalism and Mass Communication
Political Communication
Health Communication
Communication Theory
And More

PROS

Completing a master’s in communication program helps graduates prepare for success in careers in communicaions in a wide range of industries from journalism and mass media to corporate communications, marketing, politics, and more. Prospective students with some work experience under their belt can use this degree to open doors and advance in their career, improve their writing, public relations, political communication or corporate communication skills, as well as becoming a better researcher and presenter.

The main benefit of completing a traditional or online Master of Arts in Communication program is that this degree gives students a versatile, transferrable skill set; it’s equal parts general communications skills and strategic communications expertise, which means, unlike getting a degree in engineering or nursing, you’ll have a lot of flexibility after graduating. Depending on what you specialize in, you may learn more about organizational communication, marketing, advertising, journalism, public policy, leadership, or even helath communication in your curriculum.

CONS

There is a long list of skills you’ll develop further in a communications program, but many of them won’t necessarily land you a better job or advance your earnings much more than earning a bachelor’s communication degree. Unless you’re getting a master’s in a specific area of communications, such as strategic communicaiton or a communications management program, the main benefit of returning to school is to advance your expertise in the field or remain relevant. While the versatility of a communications degree is one of the more attractive things about the field and a master's in communication, it also makes it hard to prove that earning a master’s has a high return on investment.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, master’s graduates earn roughly $224 more per week than their peers with a bachelor’s degree. So, a graduate degree may well be a good investment, but there’s no real need for communications professionals to complete graduate programs, and it might be more affordable to take classes here and there to brush up your skills or learn more about emerging technologies, public and media relations, general communication studies, integrated marketing communications, digital marketing messaging strategies, or best practices and ethical communication.

We’d recommend this path for prospective students who have an idea of how they might use an advanced communication degree, but not so much for people returning to school because they don’t know what to do or believe that merely earning a master’s will help them dramatically increase their earnings.

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Top 25 Best Online Masters in Communications Programs

Johns Hopkins University

Score: 92.54

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,840
- Out-of-State: $62,840
Net Price: $24,034
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 94%
Total Enrollment: 31,275
Undergrad Students: 6,044
Graduate Students: 25,231
Grads Salary: $94,000
Student-to-faculty: 6:1

Northwestern University

Score: 92.12

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $52,698
- Out-of-State: $52,698
Net Price: $22,095
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Retention Rate: 98%

Graduation Rate: 97%
Total Enrollment: 23,161
Undergrad Students: 8,993
Graduate Students: 14,168
Grads Salary: $89,000
Student-to-faculty: 6:1

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Score: 86.03

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,545
- Out-of-State: $30,348
Net Price: $14,544
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Retention Rate: 93%

Graduation Rate: 85%
Total Enrollment: 56,916
Undergrad Students: 35,120
Graduate Students: 21,796
Grads Salary: $84,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

Purdue University

Score: 85.93

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,718
- Out-of-State: $28,520
Net Price: $12,576
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 83%
Total Enrollment: 51,528
Undergrad Students: 38,593
Graduate Students: 12,935
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Northeastern University

Score: 82.69

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,728
- Out-of-State: $27,728
Net Price: $35,827
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 91%
Total Enrollment: 30,013
Undergrad Students: 16,302
Graduate Students: 13,711
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

University of Florida-Online

Score: 79.35

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: N/A
- Out-of-State: $0
Net Price: $10,791
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Retention Rate: 92%

Graduation Rate: 79%
Total Enrollment: 5,356
Undergrad Students: 5,356
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 54:1

Florida International University

Score: 76.84

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,119
- Out-of-State: $21,600
Net Price: $9,881
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 55,609
Undergrad Students: 45,688
Graduate Students: 9,921
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

Regis University

Score: 75.88

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,573
- Out-of-State: $14,573
Net Price: $26,377
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 4,668
Undergrad Students: 2,398
Graduate Students: 2,270
Grads Salary: $89,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

Webster University

Score: 75.49

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,140
- Out-of-State: $13,140
Net Price: $23,069
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 59%
Total Enrollment: 6,396
Undergrad Students: 2,197
Graduate Students: 4,199
Grads Salary: $86,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

Arizona State University

Score: 75.27

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,376
- Out-of-State: $25,722
Net Price: $14,808
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 80,065
Undergrad Students: 65,492
Graduate Students: 14,573
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Marquette University

Score: 74.85

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $23,845
- Out-of-State: $23,845
Net Price: $33,136
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 83%
Total Enrollment: 11,167
Undergrad Students: 7,528
Graduate Students: 3,639
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Washington State University

Score: 74.74

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,675
- Out-of-State: $27,842
Net Price: $17,911
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 27,539
Undergrad Students: 22,612
Graduate Students: 4,927
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Score: 74.62

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,159
- Out-of-State: $27,361
Net Price: $16,926
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 33,403
Undergrad Students: 25,777
Graduate Students: 7,626
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

University of Missouri-Columbia

Score: 74.55

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,000
- Out-of-State: $30,000
Net Price: $19,889
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 75%
Total Enrollment: 31,304
Undergrad Students: 23,745
Graduate Students: 7,559
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

West Virginia University

Score: 73.95

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,908
- Out-of-State: $28,260
Net Price: $12,202
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 24,741
Undergrad Students: 19,059
Graduate Students: 5,682
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Texas Tech University

Score: 73.88

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,956
- Out-of-State: $15,356
Net Price: $17,896
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 64%
Total Enrollment: 40,378
Undergrad Students: 32,579
Graduate Students: 7,799
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

Syracuse University

Score: 73.49

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,928
- Out-of-State: $44,928
Net Price: $43,651
Acceptance Rate: 52%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 83%
Total Enrollment: 22,698
Undergrad Students: 15,421
Graduate Students: 7,277
Grads Salary: $85,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

University of Kansas

Score: 72.96

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,488
- Out-of-State: $25,150
Net Price: $18,950
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 26,708
Undergrad Students: 19,241
Graduate Students: 7,467
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Score: 72.8

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,346
- Out-of-State: $14,346
Net Price: $26,757
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 83%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 9,959
Undergrad Students: 5,809
Graduate Students: 4,150
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

The University of Alabama

Score: 72.52

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,100
- Out-of-State: $32,400
Net Price: $20,592
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 87%

Graduation Rate: 73%
Total Enrollment: 38,644
Undergrad Students: 32,458
Graduate Students: 6,186
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Drexel University

Score: 72.37

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,234
- Out-of-State: $36,234
Net Price: $39,267
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 87%

Graduation Rate: 78%
Total Enrollment: 22,344
Undergrad Students: 14,021
Graduate Students: 8,323
Grads Salary: $84,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

New Mexico State University

Score: 72.24

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,181
- Out-of-State: $18,023
Net Price: $10,407
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 14,268
Undergrad Students: 11,591
Graduate Students: 2,677
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Penn State World Campus

Score: 72.2

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $24,406
- Out-of-State: $24,406
Net Price: $19,551
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 36%
Total Enrollment: 13,979
Undergrad Students: 8,210
Graduate Students: 5,769
Grads Salary: $94,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Clark University

Score: 71.98

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $48,500
- Out-of-State: $48,500
Net Price: $32,053
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Retention Rate: 88%

Graduation Rate: 76%
Total Enrollment: 3,770
Undergrad Students: 2,389
Graduate Students: 1,381
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

East Carolina University

Score: 71.86

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,749
- Out-of-State: $17,898
Net Price: $14,410
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 65%
Total Enrollment: 27,151
Undergrad Students: 21,688
Graduate Students: 5,463
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Overview of a Master's in Communications

What Communications Master’s Degrees are Available?

There are two types of traditional and online master’s in communication programs. The first is an applied master’s in communication, which focuses on practical skills that you can use within a career setting. The second is a theoretical master’s program, where the focus is more on theory and social science. The latter option is ideal for those pursuing academia, in which case, you might opt to study something like media studies, strategic communication, public relations, or some other research-based discipline. In an applied program, you’ll learn more about marketing plans, public relations strategies, strategic communication management, and so on.

Find Your Online Communications Program

Theoretical degrees may be a steppingstone toward earning a degree, but you’re looking at a challenging career path, most likely aiming you to become an educator leading a communication program or a researcher.

Beyond the two clear “types” of degrees available, at the master’s level, there are a whole host of communication specializations to choose from. Though your options will vary based on school, here are the most common options.

Health Communication:
Several schools offer a health communications program, which prepares students to work in communications roles within healthcare or medical setting. Students will dive deeper into communications basics like public relations, speech writing, and written communications, as well as learn how to promote social change and educate the public about health issues. Students may also develop their ability to conduct advanced research so that they can write and speak about medical concepts with some authority.
Media and Mass Communication:
A master’s in mass communication tends to come in the form of an applied program, focusing on theory and research, primarily learning about media strategies across disciplines such as journalism, marketing, public relations, social media, and corporate communications. This concentration may be a solid choice for students who wish to advance their marketing skills—and get hands-on training to develop new media strategies and understand a broad range of communications methods.
Communications Studies:
Communications studies take a more scholarly approach to learning. This concentration is more akin to a liberal arts program, where the focus is on developing critical and analytical skills through research projects, writing, and more. Communications studies programs are more theoretical than practical, focusing on social sciences, as well as culture, politics, and deep scholarly dives into how people communicate with one another. This option may be a good choice for those considering becoming a writer or journalist, as well as those who wish to pursue an academic career.
Corporate Communication:
Corporate communication is a specialization typically offered as part of a communications studies program, and it focuses on preparing students for roles within the corporate sector. Potential career paths include spokesperson, publicity manager, campaign director, public administrator, marketing specialist, or consultant. This degree is ideal for students who want the flexibility of a general degree but want to gain practical experience they can take into a corporate setting.

Admission Requirements

Typically, applicants need to submit a GRE score and a transcript proving that they earned their communications bachelor’s degree. GPA requirements will vary by institution, and you might need to have some communications experience, whether that’s the major indicated on your bachelor’s degree, a history of taking overlapping classes, or experience in the field. Related majors like public relations, journalism, marketing, or advertising should be sufficient prerequisites, as there is a lot of overlap across these disciplines.

How long does it take to earn a Communications Master’s?

Most master’s degree programs in the US take about two years to complete. Communications is an area with a lot of variation, so there might be some differences based on the school you attend and the concentration that you select. It’s worth mentioning that some online programs offer an accelerated degree where students can earn a master’s in a year or even 18-months.

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There are other options, such as the dual degree program at Syracuse University, where students can earn a master’s degree in communications, along with a master’s in another subject like advertising or journalism. That process, according to the school, takes about three years if students take the full-time course load as intended. There are also programs that offer a master’s in communications/JD, which gets students both a law degree and an MA or MS.

Potential Careers in Communications with a Master’s

A master’s in communications can prepare students for a broad range of career opportunities. Many of these jobs don’t necessarily require a master’s degree, though that advanced credential may help you land more lucrative opportunities in the field or be seen by employers as a more attractive candidate.

Marketing Communication Manager:
A marketing communication manager is a professional that works to promote an organization, creating materials like social media content, blog posts, and other items. This person will manage marketing initiatives, manage budgets, and monitor trends. They also need to understand their customer and stakeholder demographics so that they can deliver the company message in the most effective way possible. While marketing communications managers must be skilled communicators, this role is more about managing others than creating anything themselves.
Brand Manager:
Brand managers rely on a range of skills and strategies to develop a plan to promote a brand and increase its competitiveness. In this role, you’ll need to possess a blend of business skills, marketing savvy, and communications knowledge. You’ll set objectives, develop strategies, and execute projects that support a broader marketing effort. While this role is relatively similar to a marketing manager or communications manager, brand managers may spend more time dealing with consumers, as well as conducting research and interviews to uncover what people want from a brand. Many brand managers will have either a communications degree or a business degree.
Communications Specialist:
A communications specialist generally works for one company, managing their internal and external communications. This may include things like job descriptions, memos, notes, press releases, and some marketing materials. A master’s degree offers more opportunities in a director or executive role.
Communications Consultant:
A company might hire an outside communications consultant to help them improve their image, branding, or how they are perceived in the media. In this role, you’ll work with leadership to develop strategies aimed at increasing sales, boosting reputation, and creating a streamlined branding experience. Consultants might work for a consulting firm and, within that organization, work with a range of clients on projects with varying scopes, timelines, and goals. Other consultants may opt to open their own firm or work on a freelance basis.

Salary by Occupation

Occupations	Entry-Level	Mid-Career	Late-Career
P.R .Manager	$44,500	$72,300	$75,400
News Anchor	$35,900	$60,400	$87,000
Social Media Manager	$40,300	$61,300	$58,900
Content writer	$38,100	$53,300	$61,800
News producer	$31,100	$54,500	$69,400
Communications Director	$48,800	$69,700	$91,400
Social Media Specialist	$38,800	$50,800	$60,000

Options to Advance

Communications-related jobs don’t typically require a master’s degree. Marketing, advertising, and writing jobs are often awarded based on prior work experience and your ability to drive results or create high-quality work. So, a master’s degree can be a great way to hone existing writing skills or learn about changes in your industry, but the credential itself isn’t necessarily a requirement for most roles.

That said, earning a communications degree could open certain doors. For example, a master’s degree will allow you to choose a hyper-specific area of study, like healthcare communications or corporate communications, which could help you position yourself as an executive or expert in your field. You might also opt for a master’s if you’re interested in teaching communications at a college level, though in that case it might be worth comparing master’s programs to doctoral programs.

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Additionally, if you’d like to open a business, a master’s degree may well be a great way to demonstrate expertise as you build it. Sure, your work will need to speak for itself, but advancing your education can help you get your foot in the door and provide valuable networking opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What would I learn in a master’s degree that I didn’t get from my undergraduate?

The thing about master’s degrees is that they are focused on the next level of careers that you are unlikely to have entered with just a bachelor’s degree under your belt. This means that they will focus a lot more on the information you need to lead in the communications sector, to run projects and groups, and to understand the reasons that certain decisions get made. To that end, master’s programs in this field might focus on teaching subjects covering communication law, communication research, communication theory, information technology as used in communications, leadership, and social media.

Does a master’s degree in communication require a thesis?

Yes. Most master’s programs in communications require that students complete a thesis before they can graduate. A thesis is a final project that you must complete in the last year of your master’s program. These projects can be anywhere between 100 and 300 pages long, depending on your subject and the requirements of the program you choose. However, the main goal is to include all pertinent information in a concise and coherent manner, so there may not be a specific page length requirement, only the need to convince your faculty advisor that the project is, indeed, complete. You will then defend your thesis to a committee who will decide whether or not you seem to fully understand your field and focus area.

Best Online Masters in Communications Degrees for 2024