Best Online Journalism Degrees

Best Online Bachelor's in Journalism

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Best Online Bachelor's in Journalism

Covering breaking stories and being in the center of news is just a couple of the perks of earning an online journalism degree. Whether you end up working in social media or for a newspaper, you’ll be exposed to interesting information that others need to know. Change is the name of the game in journalism, so if the thought of showing up to work each day with something new and exciting to research and report sounds appealing, then an online journalism degree is the key to your future!

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

What Is an Online Bachelor’s in Journalism? 

A bachelor’s degree in journalism teaches students how to ethically and accurately find and report stories, whether that be through print materials or digital media. Throughout your online degree, you’ll learn how to create engaging and visually appealing writing and media that captures audiences’ attention. 

Some courses that are commonly taken during a bachelor’s in journalism program include Principles of News Writing, Principles of Multimedia and Mass Media Journalism, and Media Ethics. During the course of earning a journalism degree, most students will have the opportunity to engage in internship experiences, where they get to see first hand how journalism works in the real world. 

How Much Can You Earn With an Online Bachelor’s in Journalism?

Journalism degrees can open the doors to many different fields, both inside communication and outside. However, if you’re looking into a journalism degree, you’re most likely interested in someday becoming a reporter or correspondent, who earn an average annual income of $41,260

If the idea of pursuing a career as a reporter or correspondent doesn’t exactly make you jump for joy, don’t worry, there are other options, including becoming a public relations specialist or an editor. As a public relations specialist, you can expect to bring home around $60,000 per year, and as an editor, you’ll take home just under $60,000 annually. 

What Is Required to Attend an Online Bachelor’s in Journalism Degree Program? 

Luckily for you, many of the online programs on this list have similar requirements for admission, although you always should double-check with the admission advisor of the school you select. Admission into any of the programs on this list will require you to submit proof that you completed high school or that you got your GED. 

Students attending college for the first time may also be asked to submit ACT or SAT scores when applying to the program. Those that have attended other colleges in the past will be asked to submit official transcripts from all colleges you have earned college credit through. 

What Are the Most Affordable Online Colleges?

OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program-specific. For school-wide, OSR uses student satisfaction, admission rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program-specific, OSR checks the median debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.

The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.

Now let’s check out the 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Journalism!

Oral Roberts University

Quick Facts

  • 120 credit hour program
  • Seven-week terms
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

79%

Acceptance Rate

93%

Programs Offered Online

61

Programs in Department

11

Popularity at School

11%

100%OSR Score

The Bachelor of Science in Communication from ORU comes in at our number one spot due to the program’s broad and diverse education in communication. Oral Roberts pairs every student with a success coach in an effort to make sure each student has a support system that is conducive to their success. The program can be completed in as little as 45 months for full-time students. 

Academy of Art University

Academy of Art University

Quick Facts

  • 120 credit hour program
  • Classes taught by renowned professionals
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

77%

Programs Offered Online

32

Median Debt

$31,030

Programs in Department

2

Popularity at School

7%

86%OSR Score

The BA in Fashion Journalism is a genuinely unique degree geared toward students who want to write about new and upcoming fashion trends. With this online degree program, you’ll gain a quality journalism education, while also taking fashion and design classes to equip you with an appreciation and knowledge of the industry. The degree takes approximately eight semesters to complete, during which students create a portfolio that can help them land their first job. 

New York University

New York University

Quick Facts

  • Publishing opportunities available to students
  • Journalism major and minor options
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

72%

Acceptance Rate

28%

Programs Offered Online

10

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

6%

84%OSR Score

NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute has one of the most comprehensive journalism programs available, created for students who truly want to master their craft. The journalism major consists of eight courses, five of which are core courses, with the remainder being electives. Students in the journalism major are able to choose between a specialization in Print/Online or Broadcasting. 

West Virginia University

West Virginia University

Quick Facts

  • 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • Accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

76%

Acceptance Rate

72%

Programs Offered Online

8

Median Debt

$20,437

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

7%

80%OSR Score

The journalism program at West Virginia University was created to take students beyond basic competence in the subject and into dynamic and comprehensive mastery. Throughout the program, students complete projects and apps that can be used in real-world applications. To graduate with this degree, students in the journalism major complete a capstone project, in which students work together to produce a project of commercial-grade quality. 

Ashford University

Ashford University

Quick Facts

  • Five-week courses
  • Professors with real-world journalism experience
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

69%

Programs Offered Online

54

Median Debt

$37,788

Programs in Department

2

Popularity at School

2%

74%OSR Score

The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications from Ashford University teaches you the technical skills of journalism as well as the ethics behind the job. The journalism major consists of 39 credit hours of coursework, which consists of 12 courses broken up under three major topics, including journalism, communication, and linguistics. Although the program is 120 credit hours in length, the school allows students to transfer up to 90 credit hours. 

Wilmington University

Wilmington University

Quick Facts

  • 120 credit hour program
  • $1,143 per course
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

72%

Programs Offered Online

18

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

2%

74%OSR Score

The Bachelor of Science in Communication from Wilmington University is designed to hone your skills as a strategic communicator. You’ll learn from experts in the field of communication that have taken communication theories and applied them to real-life situations. The program provides courses that will prepare you for the Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) Exam. 

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Quick Facts

  • 120 credit hour program
  • Four-year average completion
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

76%

Programs Offered Online

14

Median Debt

$23,267

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

5%

73%OSR Score

While the Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree from SIU-Carbondale takes an average of four years to complete, the degree can be completed more quickly for dedicated students. Students choose the pace of their program by taking classes in 16-week, eight-week, or four-week intervals, giving you control over your learning. With this degree, you’ll be learning from the same knowledgeable professors that teach at the main campus, which means you’ll be learning from educators performing cutting edge research. 

Mary Baldwin University

Mary Baldwin University

Quick Facts

  • Certificate options
  • Minor in Marketing option
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

75%

Acceptance Rate

95%

Programs Offered Online

38

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

4%

68%OSR Score

If you’re looking for a program that combines journalism classes with business classes, then consider the Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Communication from Mary Baldwin University. The program allows students to choose between communication studies or an integrated marketing track. The program also allows students to transfer 84 credit hours from another university into the program and earn up to 15 credit hours for certain types of work experience. 

Drexel University

Quick Facts

  • Ten-week quarters
  • 180 credit program
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

71%

Acceptance Rate

79%

Programs Offered Online

14

Median Debt

$26,855

Programs in Department

2

Popularity at School

2%

64%OSR Score

The online bachelor’s in communication from Drexel University teaches students how to effectively communicate in a wide array of businesses. Students can choose either a general concentration or, if you know you want to pursue a PR career after graduation, a concentration in Public Relations. The school allows you to transfer 135-quarter credits, or about 90-semester credits, of the total 180 credit hours required to earn your bachelor’s in communication. 

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

Quick Facts

  • 120 credit hour program
  • $617 per credit hour
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Acceptance Rate

67%

Programs Offered Online

42

Programs in Department

5

Popularity at School

3%

62%OSR Score

The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Journalism and Media from Penn State focuses on educating students on the fast-changing field of digital media and promoting a solid foundation in journalism. After obtaining a foundation in journalism theory and practices, students can tailor their degree for more specialized knowledge through elective courses. The faculty teaching the courses have a vast amount of experience, ranging from professional photography to published research on technology and communication topics. 

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.