10 Most Affordable Online Master's in Communications 2025

Online master's programs in communications can be a great way for students to flexibly further their higher education. Many online courses are asynchronous, meaning students can do their coursework on their own time. Additionally, online learning means you don't have to commute to learn on campus and gives you a wider variety of schools to choose from.

The cheapest communications degrees online tend to be undergraduate degrees, as master's degrees often cost more per credit. However, there are plenty of schools that offer low-cost online master's programs. Keep reading to learn more about affordable online master's in communications.

Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Communications

Some of the best master's in communications programs charge a tuition rate that's out of reach for many students. However, plenty of colleges and universities across the U.S. offer high-quality online communications degrees that won't send you into debt. We've featured some of the cheapest online master's degrees in communications below.

1. Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern Louisiana University is a public institution in Hammond, LA. It offers a fully online Master of Arts (MA) in strategic communication.

This degree is designed specifically for working adults and does not require GRE scores. Courses cover topics like marketing communication, digital communication, visual design, and communication strategies for nonprofit organizations.

Average in-state tuition: $240.67 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $1,280.67 per credit hour

Financial aid: Southeastern accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Georgia Southern University

At Georgia Southern University, students can earn an MA in professional communication and leadership online. The program covers topics like communication research methods, healthcare communication, mass communication, and organizational communication.

This public research university is based in Statesboro, GA. Its master's degree program is ideal for both working professionals and recent graduates looking to enhance their skills.

Average in-state tuition: $284 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $284 per credit hour

Financial aid: Georgia Southern offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Columbus State University

Columbus State University offers an online MA in communication that prepares students to strategically craft messages through different mediums. Columbus State is a public institution in Columbus, GA.

This program offers two specializations: strategic communication management (fully online) and creative services management (mostly online). Students conclude their program with either a thesis project or a comprehensive exam.

Average in-state tuition: $309 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $309 per credit hour

Financial aid: Columbus State offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Eastern New Mexico University

An MA in communications is available online through Eastern New Mexico University. Core courses cover topics like communication research methods, mass media, and communication theory.

ENMU, located in Portales, NM, is a public university. It designed this graduate degree to be flexible for working professionals and allows students to choose to select a thesis or a capstone project.

Average in-state tuition: $317 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $415 per credit hour

Financial aid: ENMU accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid, including scholarships and assistantships.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

5. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida is a public research institution in Orlando, FL. It offers an online master's in English with a specialization in technical communication.

This degree teaches graduate students how to make technical ideas accessible and impactful within various industries. Most students finish within two years, and no GRE is required.

Average in-state tuition: $327.32 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $1,151.72 per credit hour

Financial aid: UCF accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Fort Hays State University

Students at Fort Hays State University can earn a Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) online with a major in corporate communication. This program focuses on analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving, writing skills, research, and analytics.

This public university is based in Hays, KS. It also offers a corporate communication concentration within its online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, though the tuition is slightly more expensive.

Average in-state tuition: $338.62 per credit for the MLS, $374.50 per credit for the MBA

Average out-of-state tuition: $338.62 per credit for the MLS, $374.50 per credit for the MBA

Financial aid: FHSU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: HLC

7. Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University offers an MA in communication studies and a Master of Science (MS) in strategic communications online. A-State is a public research institution in Jonesboro, AR.

The communication studies program teaches students core communication skills, theories, and research methods. The strategic communications degree has three optional specializations: global communication, social media management, and technology law and policy. Both programs can be completed in as few as 10 months and have the same tuition rate.

Average in-state tuition: $340 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $340 per credit hour

Financial aid: A-State offers institutional aid, accepts FAFSA, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: HLC

8. University of North Carolina at Wilmington

An online MA in integrated marketing communication is available through the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Students in this online program learn to strategically influence public buying decisions and promote brand awareness and loyalty.

UNCW, located in Wilmington, NC, is a public university. Its marketing communication program takes as little as one year and includes courses on crisis communication, digital media, and intercultural communication.

Average in-state tuition: $340 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $1,240 per credit hour

Financial aid: UNCW accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional financial aid.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University is a public institution in Charleston, IL. It offers an online MA in communication studies with a focus on communication and leadership.

This program targets working professionals, especially individuals aspiring to leadership roles in their current professions. It takes two years to complete and covers topics like digital communication, interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, and leadership communication.

Average in-state tuition: $344.25 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $344.25 per credit hour

Financial aid: EIU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: HLC

10. Texas Tech University

Through Texas Tech University, students can earn an MA in communication studies online. It offers advanced study of human communication in face-to-face, public, and mediated contexts.

Texas Tech, a public research university, is located in Lubbock, TX. It includes core coursework on communication theory and research methods and allows online students to choose from a variety of elective courses and final assessment options.

Average in-state tuition: $351 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $351 per credit hour

Financial aid: Texas Tech offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the affordable online communications degrees listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: Every program on this list is a regionally accredited institution, which verifies that it meets educational standards and that students can transfer credits if needed.
• Program reputation and quality: In addition to accreditation, we looked specifically at public or nonprofit private schools to ensure high-quality graduate studies.
• Tuition cost: Once we determined which nonprofit, accredited schools offer online master's degrees in communications, we looked at which have the most affordable tuition costs.

FAQs About Online Master of Arts in Communication Degrees

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

How Much Does a Master's in Communications Cost?

The tuition rate for a master's degree in communications can vary significantly. Some schools on this list offer a rate of less than $300 per credit. Other schools across the U.S. charge over $1,000 per credit hour.

The amount you pay for your online degree will depend on multiple factors. In addition to the school you choose, these include whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student, if you have transfer credits, and what financial aid you use. To help lower costs, look for affordable online colleges and apply for financial aid.

Is It Worth Getting a Master's Degree in Communications?

For many students, earning a master's degree in communications is worth it. These degrees can lead to career paths like:

• advertising manager
• digital media strategist
• human resources manager
• marketing manager
• public relations manager

Even if you aren't sure you want to become a communication professional, these degrees still teach effective communication skills, research methods, and key communication technologies that are vital to a variety of real-world industries.

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

The prerequisites for enrolling in an online master's degree in communications will depend on the school you choose. Almost all programs require a bachelor's degree, but other common requirements include:

• undergraduate major in communications or a related field
• minimum undergraduate GPA
• GRE test scores
• letters of recommendation
• personal essay
• application fee

You can usually find a list of all admissions requirements on the program webpage.

Discover Online Graduate Programs

Start your journey toward becoming a communication professional by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.