The 15 Best Bachelor's in Broadcast Journalism Online
Updated November 8, 2022
By BCR Staff
Establishing a career in journalism can be both challenging and rewarding; this is an industry that diversifies on what seems like a daily basis, between social media, a 24/hr. news cycle, self-publishing, and myriad other outlets. A degree in broadcast journalism online can best prepare students to be on the cutting edge of how we communicate. A growing number of colleges are providing this curriculum in their distance-learning curriculum; many of these schools allow for a tailored degree according to the career goals of online broadcast journalism
The following ranking represents the top 15 online bachelor's degrees in broadcast journalism. These schools were selected following a research process that focused on the key elements of a strong broadcast journalism online degree.
In determining the order of this ranking, we awarded points based on:
- Range of academic offerings in the field of journalism (1-5 points)
- Quality of online classroom portal and resources (1-5 points)
- Range and quality of promising internship opportunities (1-5 points)
- An additional point was awarded for noteworthy features that made it a top college for non-traditional students (1-3 points).
In the event of a tie in points, the school with the lower net price appears higher in the ranking.
Tuition and enrollment data was sourced from College Navigator.
The following list of ranked colleges represents the top 15 bachelor's degrees in broadcast journalism.
Featured Online Schools
#15 - Bellevue University
Points: 11
Total Enrollment: 8,389
Net Price: $6,349
Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a private non-profit school with over 80 available degree paths. This Nebraska-based school has received awards and recognition for its affordability and quality of academics. Bellevue's online degree opportunities include a bachelor's in communication studies; depending on students' respective career goals, this undergraduate degree can lead to bright futures in media writing, news writing, special events, broadcast journalism, production, and much more. Bellevue's online graduates receive curriculum that is current with today's trends in the media and communications industries.
#14 - Southern New Hampshire University
Points: 12
Total Enrollment: 1,339
Net Price: $34,984
Popular with applicants from a variety of backgrounds and interests, Southern New Hampshire University welcomes over 83,000 students on-campus and worldwide. SNHU's online bachelor's in communication is a promising prospect for those pursuing a broadcast journalism career. Southern New Hampshire's communications curriculum includes studies in news journalism, writing for new media, public speaking, mass media, and other industry-relevant topics. Recently, SNHU's online degree program was awarded the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology by The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA).
#13 - Olivet Nazarene University
Points: 12
Total Enrollment: 4,907
Net Price: $20,302
Olivet Nazarene University is a Christian-based college that provides an education based on service to the church. Since it's founding as a small bible college, Olivet has evolved and diversified its academic offerings with the needs of its student body. This college has expansive distance-learning opportunities, all of which are delivered through advanced technology; for those seeking an online degree with broadcast journalism, ONU's bachelor of arts in journalism includes curriculum that leads to promising futures in the field. The journalism major online has three available concentrations, depending on your career goals; these concentrations include reporting/writing, multimedia, or strategic communication.
#12 - Webster University
Points: 13
Total Enrollment: 13,906
Net Price: $24,717
Based out St. Louis, Webster University is a widely respected institution with five specialized schools and over 100 countries represented in its student body. Webster's school of communications is where students can earn their bachelor of arts in media communications; this degree track includes a twelve-credit journalism concentration that could lead to a future in broadcast journalism. Webster's online journalism students take both foundational and specialized curriculum, some of which includes current issues in media literacy, ethics in the media, and multiple available journalism courses; among the available journalism courses are sports broadcasting, fundamentals of reporting, history of broadcasting, among others.
#11 - Regent University
Points: 13
Total Enrollment: 8,389
Net Price: $17,837
A well-respected school based in Christian values, Regent University has academic programs for an enormous range of degree interests. Among Regents's online degrees includes a bachelor of arts in communication studies; this degree has an available concentration in journalism, a strong choice for those who want to focus their degree in broadcast journalism online. Regent's journalism degree is designed to foster creative and powerful storytelling, all while maintaining a strong moral center. Regent's online technology is considered user-friendly, accessible, and resourceful; RU's distance learning programs have earned high rankings in top publications.
#10 - Ashford University
Points: 14
Total Enrollment: 41,361
Net Price: $18,235
Ashford University is a 100% online degree school with opportunities in over 60 specialized programs. This school is considered highly advanced in its online course offerings and has recently expanded its online capacities to serve students even more efficiently. Among Ashford's undergraduate degrees is an online bachelor of arts degree in journalism and mass communications; for students pursuing higher education in broadcast journalism, this degree program is designed to provide a diverse set of skills in delivering news to the public. Graduates of the online journalism BA develop mass communication skills, ethical practices in both print and broadcast journalism, professional level reporting, and much more.
#9 - University of Florida
Points: 15
Total Enrollment: 2,240
Net Price: $11,976
The University of Florida is a uniquely progressive institution, known best for it's individualized learning and stellar academics. While the campus location is beautiful, those students who can't access it may still benefit from the college's online learning. UF online has a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication-News; this program is part of the telecommunications department, offering a wide range of options for broadcast journalism online bachelor's students. This program is considered competitive in the journalism and mass communications industry, and graduates have landed exciting careers in broadcast journalism, production, political campaigns, and much more.
#8 - National University
Points: 16
Total Enrollment: 17,192
Net Price: $22,377
A non-profit academic institution, National University is comprised of 28 campuses and top-notch distance-learning programs. Virtually any student's interest can be found among National's specialized departments. For students pursuing an online bachelor's with broadcast journalism, National University's BA in digital journalism prepares students for a multitude of industry career paths; this degree's curriculum prioritizes graduates to be diverse in an ever-changing field. Journalism students have the added experience of multiple hands-on projects, ensuring their skill-sets are tested and ready for a long future in the field.
#7 - Thomas Edison State University
Points: 16
Total Enrollment: 12,489
Net Price: $21,050
Thomas Edison State University is a New Jersey-based school with particular appeal for adult students over 35. TESU's flexible learning models include online degrees, many of which can include college credits for life experience and work history. Among Thomas Edison's online undergraduate degrees include a BA in communications; this program offers multiple options for those who want to focus their degree in broadcast journalism curriculum. The communications degree has online courses in journalism, television news, radio news, interviewing, and many other pertinent industry areas that make graduates competitive in the industry.
#6 - State University of New York at Oswego
Points: 17
Total Enrollment: 8,004
Net Price: $16,381
Part of the affordable State University of New York system, SUNY Oswego has earned a strong reputation for its academic programs and generous scholarship opportunities. This college has expanded its degree offerings to online education, providing over 100 courses at a flexible pace for working adults. Students pursuing a broadcast journalism degree online can find a promising start at SUNY Oswego; the broadcasting BA prepares graduates with an in-depth knowledge of journalism, electronic broadcasting, communication, and comprehensive courses in the ever-evolving multimedia industry. SUNY Oswego provides extensive academic advisement for online students as they navigate their career beginnings.
#5 - Upper Iowa University
Points: 18
Total Enrollment: 4,758
Net Price: $23,405
Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a comprehensive non-profit college with a main campus, 25 satellite educational centers, and a growing distance learning program. UIU's online degrees have earned accolades and high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Military Times, among other publications. Among Upper Iowa's undergraduate online degrees includes a bachelor's in communication studies; this major provides coursework in numerous field areas, some of which include news media, journalism, ethics in journalism, research skills, reporting, editing, news writing, and more. For students tailoring their online degree in broadcast journalism, the mass media emphasis is the best way to structure the communications degree.
#4 - University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Points: 19
Total Enrollment: 20,093
Net Price: $28,244
Consistently one of the top-ranked colleges in the nation, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst is a large, progressive academic institution. UMASS's University Without Walls is a celebrated distance-learning initiative, allowing an ever-increasing student body to earn their degree online; among these degrees is a bachelor of arts in journalism, which can be tailored to the special interests of its students. For those who wish to design their online degree in broadcast journalism, UMASS Amherst has a wide spectrum of news writing and reporting courses relevant to current trends in the industry. UMASS is among the growing number of schools allowing a student's life experience to be translated into college credits.
#3 - Penn State World Campus
Points: 19
Total Enrollment: 13,411
Net Price: $23,129
Penn State University is a globally renowned school, attracting high-achieving students and scholar-level faculty. Penn State World Campus is the institution's online division, is considered a beacon of academic excellence, with advanced online course technology, top-notch libraries, and tech-savvy, supportive professors. Penn's World Campus has online degrees that include a bachelor of arts in digital journalism and media; this program is an excellent choice for students who want to shape their degree according to their career goals. For online broadcast journalism students, there are rigorous course options in news writing, reporting techniques, issues for newsroom managers, among many other industry topics.
#2 - Full Sail University
Points: 20
Total Enrollment: 19,433
Net Price: $27,840
Comprised of numerous campus and online degrees, Full Sail University is a unique Florida-based school. This college has a progressive, student-centered approach to education, honoring each student as an individual with distinct goals and career interests. For online broadcast journalism degree-seekers, Full Sail has a competitive bachelor's in sportscasting; this 29-month program encompasses field-relevant topics specific to those beginning their sports broadcasting career. Some of the online courses in broadcast journalism include broadcast writing, advanced reporting and practice, multimedia storytelling, and more.
#1 - New England College
Points: 21
Total Enrollment: 2,781
Net Price: $27,640
New England College is a multi-faceted academic community with particular popularity with working adult students. The majority of NEC's instructor faculty hold terminal degrees in their field, and there is a consistent 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio. New England College's distance learning program provides the same high-quality education received by its campus students. Among the available undergraduate degrees includes an online BA in communications/journalism; this challenging bachelor's program fosters credible, capable professionals with a diverse skill-set in journalism. For online broadcast journalism students, NEC features courses in multimedia news writing, editing, investigative reporting, feature writing, and more. NEC graduates in journalism typically advance to careers as reporters, correspondents, technical writers, among other relevant roles.
The preceding ranked list represents the top 15 bachelor's degrees in broadcast journalism.
Related Rankings: