Are you a writer and storyteller? Will you look wherever necessary to find the answers to questions? Do you enjoy talking with and interviewing new people, even if it puts you outside your comfort zone?
If you have a passion for keeping up with what’s happening in the world around you, then journalism may well be the perfect profession for you to pursue.
Journalism as a profession is essential to keeping citizens informed in a democracy. Whether through the written word (in print or online) or through broadcast news media, you could have a significant impact on your community and your audience.
To find an affordable online journalism degree, let us help you. Below, we list some of the leading American universities with online bachelor’s degrees in journalism.
List of Affordable Journalism Degrees Online
Be aware that a bachelor’s diploma from a university’s School of Journalism that has accreditation from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) will carry more clout in the professional world than other degrees.
1. Colorado State University
You can study online to earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in journalism and media communication from Colorado State University, based in Fort Collins, Colorado.
All students in the online ACEJMC-accredited journalism and media communication program enroll in core courses in news writing, visual communication, and in online storytelling and audience engagement.
You would also become well-informed in media ethics and communications law, media history, and statistical research methods. A wide array of courses in writing and media production would prepare you for an internship and a capstone course.
Tuition for online students is $476 per credit. Other fees may apply.
2. Drake University
Based in Des Moines, Iowa, the ACEJMC-accredited School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Drake University is home to an online Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communication with a major in digital communication.
If you transfer in with an associate degree, you could complete your BA degree in two years. In addition to basic journalism and communication courses, you would study public relations, advertising, social media, and multimedia, each with a focus on career competencies.
Tuition is $650 per credit hour.
3. Ohio University
The ACEJMC-accredited Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University is now offering an online Bachelor of Science in journalism degree.
The program offers dozens of cutting-edge journalism courses covering such topics as multiplatform reporting and writing, advertising and public relations, podcasting, magazine editing, graphics, and corporate social responsibility.
You could participate in the Scripps in D.C. semester program as well. Applicants are welcome at the freshman or transfer level. Tuition is $307-312 per credit hour.
4. Penn State World Campus
If you dream of becoming a digital journalist, a great online bachelor’s program would be Penn State’s Bachelor of Arts in Digital Journalism and Media, offered in partnership with the ACEJMC-accredited Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications.
In this program, you would learn to engage your audiences by researching, writing, and producing multimedia pieces.
Digital journalism requires skills that can integrate written and visual communication to produce content that is either text-based or moving images. Media management, leadership, and the use of analytics are also essential professional skills.
Tuition for this unique program varies between lower- and upper-division courses. The cost per credit hour is $626 to $671 (part-time, for up to 11 hours) or $7,602 to $8,206 per semester.
5. Southern Illinois University
The School of Journalism and Advertising at Southern Illinois University houses the online Bachelor of Science in journalism program, which offers a choice of specialization in:
- advertising
- journalism and mass communications
- news-editorial
- photojournalism
- sports media
Journalism students will benefit from association with the student-produced newspaper, broadcast news, radio, and student-run advertising agency.
Undergraduate online tuition is $321.50 a credit hour for all domestic U.S. students, regardless of residency. Online students will also incur some mandatory fees.
6. Utah State University
Utah State University offers a Bachelor of Science in journalism through its online programs, with an online tuition of $382 per credit hour for out-of-state students.
The USU journalism program offers online students an emphasis in print journalism. In addition to learning to write with clarity, you would learn ‘to build stories that … enlighten and entertain, dig for details and hunt for humanity, and make every word count.’
Journalism students at USU write for campus publications as they practice their reporting, writing, and multimedia production skills in an ethical and engaging way.
7. University of Florida
For a specialized education as a sportswriter or broadcaster, you can’t go wrong by enrolling in the online program available at the University of Florida’s ACEJMC-accredited College of Journalism and Communications titled ‘Bachelor of Science in Journalism: Sports & Media.’
This unique cross-disciplinary program contains a curriculum that includes both journalism and specialized sports-related courses such as:
- Race, Sports and Media
- Multimedia Sports Reporting
- Sports Media Law and Ethics
- Sports Media and Society
- Sports Communication
- Fundamentals of Sports Production
Online tuition for Florida residents is an extremely affordable $129.18 per credit hour, with tuition at $552.62 for non-residents.
8. University of Massachusetts
The University of Massachusetts at Amherst is home to a distinctive program called University Without Walls (UWW) for adult, non-traditional students. UWW offers a BA or BS in interdisciplinary studies through a degree-completion program in Journalism Studies.
This program enables you to transfer in up to 105 credits including earning credits for prior learning and work experience to accelerate your degree.
Journalism courses include news writing and reporting, international journalism, documentary filmmaking, visual storytelling, magazine writing, public relations, and more.
Tuition is $425 per credit.
9. University of Missouri Kansas City
UMKC’s online Bachelor of Arts in communication with a digital journalism and media emphasis promises to provide seasoned professional journalists to teach you the art and craft of journalism.
Tailored for working professionals who want to earn a degree to enhance their careers, the program provides hands-on experience in research, writing, and producing media content in multiple digital environments.
The tuition rate per credit hour is $373.00 for Missouri and Kansas residents, $548.00 for students from designated midwestern ‘heartland’ states, and $973 for other nonresidents.
10. University of North Texas
The ACEJMC-accredited Mayborn School of Journalism at UNT provides an online option to earn your Bachelor of Arts (BA) in broadcast and digital journalism. The program aims to train professional journalists who have the ethics, skills, and social responsibility to impact a global audience.
You’ll find a strong emphasis on multi-platform journalism at UNT to prepare you for a career as a writer, editor, news reporter, photojournalist, sports reporter, or other content producer.
Tuition for an academic year (30 credit hours) would cost $1,500 for Texas residents and $14,100 for nonresidents.
How Much Does an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism Cost?
You’ll find that tuition for journalism programs varies greatly depending upon whether you qualify for in-state residency at public institutions or whether you enroll in a leading journalism school, which is accredited differently from a communication department.
The cost of the programs we list above includes some real bargain prices for state residents who attend the University of North Texas or the University of Florida, for example, where tuition averages to less than $130 per credit hour.
Otherwise, the cost per credit hour averages between $300-500, although a few are significantly higher.
How To Make an Online Journalism Degree Affordable
None of the tuition rates we quote above take into account any financial aid, discounts, or scholarships that you might be eligible for. Based on need or merit, these can lower your cost substantially.
Don’t forget to submit the FAFSA form to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid. Consult with your school’s financial aid officers to see how you might lower your expenses.
Is an Online Journalism Degree Worth It?
Yes. Receiving rigorous training in the craft of journalism, which includes research, interviewing, writing, editing, and often graphic and media production skills, provides you with the essential credentials to be regarded as a professional in this career field.
Find an Affordable Degree in Journalism Online Today
Start here, with the schools in this article, to investigate which affordable online journalism degree might best fit your interests and budget.
