7 Most Affordable Online Communications Degrees in Illinois 2025

Communications degrees can lead to a variety of career paths, from news anchor to human resources manager to public relations specialist. Students who aren't able to learn on campus can learn through low-cost online communications degrees.

In these degree programs, students learn about different types of communication and work to hone their communication skills. Keep reading to discover the most affordable online communications degree programs in Illinois.

Affordable Online Communications Degree Programs in Illinois

There are multiple low-cost online colleges in Illinois, several of which offer communications degrees. We've highlighted these programs, all from colleges that hold regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

1. Columbia College

Columbia College is headquartered in Columbia, MO, but has multiple locations across the U.S., including Elgin, IL, and Freeport, IL. The private school offers an online bachelor's degree in communication studies, which explores concepts like:

• communication theory
• intercultural communication
• mass communication
• social media

The tuition rate for this program is $375 per credit hour. The college offers scholarships specifically for online students and also accepts outside financial aid.

2. Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University is a public school that offers two bachelor's degrees and a master's in communications online. The bachelor's in communication in organizations focuses on relational and organizational communication skills, while the health communication major teaches students to design, evaluate, and implement health communication programs.

Both cost $338.35 per credit hour, and financial aid options are available (e.g., the EIU Promise, which completely covers tuition costs for eligible Illinois residents). The online master's in communications has a tuition rate of $344.25 per credit hour and it allows students to specialize in communication and leadership.

3. Saint Xavier University

An online Bachelor of Arts in applied communication is available through Saint Xavier University. This degree offers three specializations:

• strategic communication
• media communication
• sports communication

This private Catholic university is located in Chicago. It charges a tuition rate of $475 per credit hour for this program, and financial aid is available to help students pay for their online courses.

4. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Carbondale offers a Bachelor of Science in communication studies online. The public research institution is the flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University system.

The program includes coursework on interpersonal communication and business communication and offers an optional specialization in public relations. The tuition rate is $321.50 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students.

5. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is another member of the public SIU system. It offers an online bachelor's in applied communication studies with a specialization in public relations that covers topics such as:

• communication research methods
• public relations campaigns
• public speaking
• social media

The tuition rate is $430.75 per credit hour. Several financial aid options are available to help students pay for their tuition.

6. University of Illinois Springfield

Students at the University of Illinois Springfield can earn a Bachelor of Arts in communication online. Coursework in this program covers a range of communication subjects, including digital media, global communication, interpersonal communication, and public relations.

UIS, located in Springfield, IL, is a public university. The tuition rate is $367.50 for undergraduate students studying online before any financial aid is applied.

7. Western Illinois University

A Bachelor of Arts in communication is available online through Western Illinois University. The public institution is based in Macomb, IL.

This program is focused on organizational communication, persuasive communication, interpersonal communication, and rhetorical communication. The tuition rate is $326.70 per credit hour, and multiple scholarships are available.

Our Selection Criteria

To choose the programs for this list, we looked specifically at colleges that:

• are located in or have a campus in Illinois
• hold regional accreditation
• are public or nonprofit
• offer online bachelor's or master's degrees in communications
• have a tuition rate below $500 per credit

Additionally, all the programs we chose come from online colleges that accept financial aid, and most also offer financial aid programs of their own.

FAQs About Online Programs in Communications

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about online programs in communications.

What Are the Prerequisites for Enrolling in an Online Degree in Communications?

There usually aren't many prerequisites for an online bachelor's degree in communication. You'll need a high school diploma, or an associate degree, if you're pursuing a bachelor's completion degree program.

You may also need to fulfill your general education requirements before you can dive into your core courses. These usually include basic liberal arts coursework, including a public speaking course.

Master's degrees usually have more requirements. You may need an undergraduate degree in communications or a related field and meet minimum GPA requirements.

How Much Does an Online Communications Degree Cost?

Of the affordable online bachelor's degrees listed above, the cost ranges from $326 to $475 per credit hour. The final cost of your degree, however, can depend on many different things, including:

• what level of degree you're earning
• if you're an in-state or out-of-state student
• whether you study full-time or part-time
• how many credit hours you need
• what financial aid you qualify for

To increase affordability, all students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This assesses your eligibility for federal and state financial aid programs.

Additionally, if you have college credits, look for an online college that accepts transfer credits. This prevents your previous higher education from going to waste.

What Can You Do With an Online Communications Degree?

There are many career paths you can pursue with an online degree in communications. Some popular job titles for communication professionals include:

• digital strategist
• human resources specialist
• marketing manager
• news anchor or broadcaster
• public relations specialist
• social media manager

Many communications programs offer specializations or electives that allow you to tailor your degree to your career goals. For example, if you want to work in marketing, look into marketing communications courses. For a career in media, courses in mass media or media studies are ideal.

Discover Online Bachelor's Degrees and Enroll Today

Start your career journey today by exploring the high-quality online communications programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and more.