5 Most Affordable Online Communications Degrees in New York 2025

Communications professionals in New York have many career options, especially in the city. These roles usually require at least a bachelor's degree in communications.

A communications degree incorporates aspects of public speaking, communications theory, and media studies. For students who can't make it on campus, there are many low-cost online communications degrees to consider. Keep reading to discover affordable online communications programs in New York.

Affordable Online Communications Degree Programs in New York

There are many affordable online colleges in New York, especially for students who qualify for financial aid programs like the Excelsior Scholarship. We've highlighted these schools below, all with regional accreditation from the Middles States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

1. City of New York School of Professional Studies

The City of New York (CUNY) School of Professional Studies is a public university with its main campus in Manhattan New York City. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in communication and media, which tackles subjects like:

• corporate communication
• mass media
• social media
• visual communication

The tuition rate for this program is $305 per credit hour for in-state students and $350 for out-of-state students. As the school is public, students may also be eligible to have their full tuition costs covered through the Excelsior Scholarship.

2. Empire State University

At Empire State University, students can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in digital communication. Coursework covers digital media, mass communication, marketing communication, and journalism.

Empire State University, based in Saratoga Springs, NY, is part of the public State University of New York (SUNY) system. This means in-state students can use the Excelsior Scholarship to help them pay for their tuition, which is $295 per credit hour; out-of-state students have a tuition rate of $353.

3. Hilbert College

An online bachelor's degree in digital media and communication is available through Hilbert College. This private school is located in Hamburg, NY.

This bachelor's program offers concentrations in graphic design, integrated marketing, and multimedia journalism. Tuition is $525 per credit hour, and multiple scholarships are available to help undergraduate students pay for their online programs.

4. State University of New York Oswego

SUNY Oswego offers an online bachelor's degree in broadcasting and mass communication. This program includes core courses and electives on mass media, strategic communication, communication theory, and interpersonal communication.

The public university charges a full-time tuition rate of $3,535 per semester for in-state students and $4,240 per semester for out-of-state students. New York residents may qualify for financial aid, like the Excelsior Scholarship.

5. College of Mount Saint Vincent

The College of Mount Saint Vincent is a private, Catholic school in the Bronx. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts in communication with two specializations:

• advertising and social media
• public relations and event planning

This online degree program has a tuition rate of $324 per credit hour. Various scholarships and grants are available to students earning their undergraduate degrees.

Other Affordable Online Communications Programs

New York State has a few affordable communications degrees for online students, but there are also several online schools across the country offering low-cost communications programs. We've listed a few extra programs below.

1. National University

Students at National University can earn a bachelor's or master's degree online in communications. The private institution is headquartered in San Diego.

In the Bachelor of Arts in communication, students can choose between concentrations in creative communication or strategic communication. The tuition rate is $370 per credit hour.

The online master's degree in strategic communication is more focused on professional and organizational communication. It costs $442 per credit hour.

2. Southern New Hampshire University

An online bachelor's and master's degree in communication are available at Southern New Hampshire University. SNHU is a private school, known for its online offerings, based in Manchester, NH.

The bachelor's degree offers four concentrations: business communication, new media, professional writing, and public relations. It costs $330 per credit hour, and financial aid is available.

In the graduate degree program, students have two options for a specialization, either new media and marketing or public relations. Tuition is $637 per credit hour before financial aid is applied.

Our Selection Criteria

To choose the programs listed above, we focused on schools that:

• are located in New York State
• hold regional accreditation
• are nonprofit or public
• offer bachelor's or master's degrees in communications
• have a tuition rate below $500 per credit hour for bachelor's programs or have financial aid programs to reduce cost

All of the programs listed above are online colleges that accept financial aid, and most also offer scholarships of their own.

Once we went through the New York schools that fit the criteria, we looked at popular low-cost communications programs throughout the U.S.

FAQs About Online Communications Degrees

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about online communications degrees.

What Is the Average Cost of an Online Communications Degree Program?

Of the online bachelor's degrees listed above, the cost ranges from around $300 to just over $500 per credit hour. That being said, the total cost of your program will depend on a few different factors, such as:

• whether you're earning a bachelor's or master's degree
• 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 types of financial aid you receive

All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form assesses your eligibility for many financial aid programs.

How Long Is an Online Bachelor's Degree in Communication Program?

Most bachelor's degrees require about 120 credit hours, which take roughly four years to complete. About two years are spent completing general education courses, and the other two focus on communication studies.

If you already have an associate degree, you can pursue a bachelor's degree completion program. This allows you to transfer credits and finish in about two years.

Even if you don't have an associate degree, if you have any college experience, look for an online college that accepts transfer credits. This way, your previous learning doesn't go to waste.

What Can I Do With an Online Communications Degree?

Communications degrees teach important communication skills, concepts, and theories that allow you to pursue many career options. Some common jobs for those with communications degrees include:

• human resources specialists
• journalist
• marketing manager
• news anchor or broadcaster
• public relations specialists
• social media manager

Many programs offer specializations or electives so you can tailor your degree to the communications career path you want to pursue. For example, someone who wants to become a news anchor may take classes in media studies.

Find an Online Bachelor's Degree Today

Start your journey toward becoming a communication professional today by exploring the accredited online programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools to request information on admissions, enrollment, and affordability.