6 Most Affordable Online PhD in Communications Programs 2025

There are many flexible graduate programs that allow you to earn a PhD in communications online at affordable tuition rates. This degree is the terminal degree for key areas of communication, such as strategic communication, social media, and public relations. We'll show you the most affordable ways to earn this graduate degree through an online or hybrid program.

What Is a PhD in Communications?

A PhD in communications qualifies you to teach college courses in the field of communications while conducting quantitative and qualitative research. PhD students often concentrate in important sub-fields, such as communication theory, health communication, media studies, mass communication, organizational communication, or communication technology.

This degree normally takes between three and seven years of graduate study, depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time.

Can I Earn a Communications PhD Online?

Yes, some communications PhD programs are 100% online, while others offer the majority of coursework online, but still require a few on-campus appearances. Some graduate degree programs require a residency component or at least expect you to meet in person to defend a dissertation or take oral comprehensive exams.

How Much Does an Online Communications PhD Program Cost?

Most online PhD programs in communications are more affordable than in-person degrees at prestigious schools. The typical cost for graduate degrees in this field is between $10,000 and $40,000, but we identify several cheaper options below. If you can secure a graduate assistantship or scholarship, then you can lower your tuition expenses even further.

Cheapest Online PhD in Communications Programs

Here are some respected universities with communications PhD programs online. This section will introduce each program, including its estimated tuition rates, accreditations, and financial aid options.

1. Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University's Department of English offers a PhD in technical communication. Incoming students must hold a bachelor's degree and a master's degree, submit three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement with official transcripts.

This program focuses on rhetoric, literacy, technical communication, and composition. Students must complete 48 hours of graduate coursework, 12 credit hours of qualification exam research, and 12 credit hours of dissertation research.

• Estimated tuition cost: $450 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Although online students do not qualify for some fellowships, there are scholarships and grants available to incoming online students and international students.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. University of Alabama

The University of Alabama offers a fully online PhD program in communications. Doctoral studies require 66 credit hours with a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous courses and mentoring from dedicated faculty members.

This degree program consists of foundation courses, elective courses, cognate courses in other fields, communication theory courses, specialization courses, and a dissertation. Incoming students must have at least a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all other college programs, according to the admissions requirements.

• Estimated tuition cost: $480 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Alabama's financial aid website mentions scholarships, grants, and military benefits for graduate students.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

3. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota's Department of Communications offers a 90-credit PhD program. Students can attend in-person or online courses for this three-to-five-year degree program.

The admissions requirements include submitting GRE scores, but the school does not mention a specific cutoff score you must attain. You can learn more about specific course requirements and funding opportunities by contacting the program director.

• Estimated tuition cost: $528.36 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This university offers PhD funding through scholarships, grants, tuition waivers, and other stipends.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Liberty University

Liberty University's School of Communications offers a PhD degree, featuring convenient eight-week sessions for distance learners. The university accepts up to 50% transfer credits from other master's or doctoral programs, making it possible to finish your education in just a couple of years.

This program offers courses in important topics like data analysis, digital analytics, and communicating research data. Graduates can use this terminal degree to qualify for lucrative roles, such as communications executive, research manager, university professor, and public relations executive.

• Estimated tuition cost: $610 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Liberty offers generous discounts for military veterans and their families.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Regent University

Regent University has a fully online PhD program in communications, which requires only a one-week summer residency at its campus. The admissions requirements include a faculty interview, one graduate research writing sample, and official transcripts. This program places a strong emphasis on extensive training in qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• Estimated tuition cost: $970 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Over 80% of Regent students receive financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and other funding sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Rutgers University

Rutgers University's PhD in Communications is a hybrid of on-campus courses with some online offerings. The goal of this program is to foster intellectual autonomy in the 21st century.

It accomplishes this by examining every component of written and digital communication through various interdisciplinary resources. This department also offers master's degrees with concentrations in information or communication and media.

• Estimated tuition cost: $991 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Doctoral students are eligible for assistantships, travel grants, and student fee remission.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

How We Rank Schools

This section explains our ranking methodology for the schools on this list. It considers three important factors: accreditation, affordability, and program reputation.

• Accreditation: These programs receive a rigorous review from groups like HLC.
• Affordability: Tuition rates are no higher than $1,000 per credit hour.
• Program reputation: The faculty members at these colleges have a strong reputation for producing scholarly communication research and offer terrific student support services for online students.

What To Expect From an Online Communications PhD

A PhD curriculum will feature a combination of research methods and topical courses in the field of communications. This includes coursework in several areas of study, such as public relations, communications theory, communications research skills, and mass media communication.

This prepares doctoral students to produce independent research, teach college-level courses, and develop other skills necessary for non-academic employment.

FAQs About the Cheapest Online PhDs in Communications

Check out these four frequently asked questions (FAQs) from prospective PhD students. It addresses concerns over degree reputability, program duration, and funding availability.

Is an Online PhD in Communications Worth It?

Yes, these online PhD programs can help you begin a research career in higher education, as well as in private companies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. If you're not ready for PhD enrollment, then consider earning a master's degree online to see if you can handle graduate school.

Are Online Communications PhDs Respected?

Yes, online communications PhDs enjoy great respect among their academic peers and throughout the business world. This is also a high-paying career if you can land a college professor job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, post-secondary communications teachers earn an average annual salary of over $88,000.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online PhD in Communication?

If you attend graduate school full-time, then you should finish your degree within three to five years. Sometimes, this takes a couple of years longer if you enroll in courses part-time or take a break from studying.

Are There Any Fully Funded PhD in Communications Programs?

Yes, you can get your PhD communications fully funded at several American universities. The best way to do this is to pursue a research assistant role, which you can still fulfill as a remote learner. You can also earn full funding for your PhD degree by accepting scholarships or grants to offset tuition costs and other student fees.

Discover Online Doctoral Programs

Check out Learn.org for hundreds of other articles on PhD programs and resources for graduate students. This website provides information about several accredited online programs in communication studies and other disciplines.