What you’ll learn in this article…
- St. Louis employs over 4,500 media and communication workers locally.
- Every major St. Louis program now uses test-optional admissions.
- UMSL in-state tuition starts around $14,100 before financial aid.
The communication degree market in St. Louis has quietly reorganized around working adults: nearly every ranked program in the metro now offers a test-optional path, and most have added hybrid or fully online tracks to compete for enrolled professionals.
That matters because St. Louis carries a denser communication employer base than its size suggests. Fortune 500 headquarters, BJC and SSM Health, agencies like FleishmanHillard, and legacy broadcast outlets sustain steady demand for public relations, corporate communication, and media production talent, the same career paths emphasized by many PR master's programs Missouri. Twenty-nine ranked communication programs serve the region across bachelor's, master's, and certificate levels, in formats ranging from evening cohorts at UMSL to fully online tracks from Missouri's public universities, where several best online master's in communication programs are based.
The real decision isn't whether to enroll; it's matching format, concentration, and net price to your career timeline.
Why Study Communication in St. Louis?
St. Louis is a genuine communication career hub, and it offers more local opportunity than many prospective students expect. The metro area brings together major healthcare systems, Fortune 500 corporate headquarters, global public relations agencies, and established broadcast and print newsrooms. That mix means communication graduates can pursue corporate, nonprofit, agency, and media careers without leaving the region, a practical answer to what can you do with a communications degree.
A Local Employer Base Built for Communication Roles
Healthcare providers including BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, and Mercy hire internal communication, public relations, and patient-engagement professionals. Corporate headquarters at Emerson Electric, Edward Jones, Centene, and Bayer US support brand, media relations, and executive communication teams. The city is also home to agencies such as FleishmanHillard, Ansira, Osborn Barr Paramore, We Are Alexander, and CPG Agency, while KMOV, KSDK, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Nine PBS, and St. Louis Public Radio anchor the media side. For a metro its size, that breadth is unusual and creates strong public relations and strategic communication demand.
What Communication Work Can Pay
Wage benchmarks are uneven, so treat them as directional rather than fixed. Marketing manager roles in the broader St. Louis metro show median estimates around $126,0001, while an Illinois-side estimate is closer to $99,0002. Public relations specialist pay is more modest, with local Illinois-side medians near $55,0002 and national data around $66,7503. Because employer mix and reporting periods differ, online salary tools can show very different figures for the same job title. The consistent pattern is that management-level marketing and strategic communication roles pay more than entry-level public relations and reporting roles, a pattern consistent with highest paying communication jobs.
Regional Reach and the ROI Case
St. Louis sits within a regional network that includes Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia, and Chicago, which expands the employer map for graduates who are willing to commute or relocate. At the same time, housing and everyday costs remain more manageable here than in coastal metro areas. That combination of local hiring, regional mobility, and lower cost of living can make communication degrees in Missouri a stronger return on investment than the same degree in a higher-priced market, especially for working professionals balancing tuition with living expenses.
Online, On-Campus, and Hybrid Communication Degrees Serving St. Louis
Choosing the right delivery format can make or break your ability to finish a communication degree while holding down a job. The table below maps St. Louis area and Missouri programs by their available formats, so you can quickly see which schools fit your schedule. Programs listed as offering both online and on-campus options typically let you mix modalities from semester to semester, giving you flexibility if your work responsibilities shift. A common concern among working professionals is whether online communication degrees carry the same accreditation as their on-campus counterparts. The answer is yes: regionally accredited institutions apply the same accreditation to all delivery formats. Online students at these schools also remain eligible for internships, career services, and experiential learning opportunities, though you may need to coordinate placements in the St. Louis metro on your own timeline.
| School | Location | Format | Accrediting Body | Notable for Working Professionals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri, Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | Online | Higher Learning Commission | Synchronous and asynchronous options, rolling admissions, in-state tuition for online students |
| University of Missouri, St. Louis | St. Louis, MO | On-Campus (online options noted) | Higher Learning Commission | Accelerated BA/MA dual degree, student-run PR firm, capstone with real-world clients |
| Maryville University | St. Louis, MO | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission | 98% job placement rate, internship requirement, partnerships with major St. Louis employers |
| Saint Louis University | St. Louis, MO | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission | Small class sizes, 90% job placement rate, multimedia labs and internship credit |
| Washington University in St. Louis | St. Louis, MO | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission | Adult and evening education through University College |
| Lindenwood University | St. Charles, MO | On-Campus (blended available) | Higher Learning Commission | Multiple delivery formats including blended, internships with St. Louis media organizations |
| Webster University | St. Louis, MO | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission | Real-world client projects, state-of-the-art media production facilities |
| Missouri Baptist University | St. Louis, MO | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission | Senior capstone seminar, hands-on internship experience, focus on media law and ethics |
| Columbia College | Columbia, MO | Online | Higher Learning Commission | 100% online option, eight concentration choices, flexible for working adults |
| Central Methodist University (CGES) | Fayette, MO | Online | Higher Learning Commission | Fully online, lower per-credit cost, designed for adult and nontraditional students |
| Park University | Parkville, MO | Online | Higher Learning Commission | Private school with competitive tuition, on-campus support with online coursework |
| University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg, MO | On-Campus (100% online available) | Higher Learning Commission | Available fully online, 95% placement rate, internships for course credit |
Accreditation and What It Means for Your Communication Degree
Accreditation is the formal review process that confirms a college or university meets established quality standards for its academic programs, faculty, and student support. For communication students in St. Louis, two levels of accreditation come into play: institutional (regional) accreditation and specialized program-level accreditation.
Regional Accreditation Covers All St. Louis Schools
Every major St. Louis institution offering bachelor's in communication programs holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the regional accreditor for colleges and universities in the central United States. This includes the University of Missouri-St. Louis (continuously accredited since 1968, with its most recent reaffirmation in 2019)1, Saint Louis University (accredited since 1916, reaffirmed in 2022)2, and Webster University (accredited since 1925)3. Lindenwood University and Maryville University also hold HLC accreditation. Regional accreditation is the baseline that matters most for financial aid eligibility, credit transfer between institutions, and admission to graduate programs.
ACEJMC: The Specialized Standard
The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) offers a program-level credential specifically for journalism degree programs and mass communication departments. In Missouri, only the University of Missouri in Columbia and Southeast Missouri State University currently hold ACEJMC accreditation.4 None of the St. Louis area schools, including UMSL, SLU, Webster, Lindenwood, or Maryville, carry this specialized designation for their communication programs.
Does It Matter for Your Career?
Unlike fields such as nursing or engineering, most communication careers do not require graduates to come from a program with specialized accreditation. Employers in public relations, media, and corporate communications rarely ask whether your program was ACEJMC-accredited, even when hiring from top public relations schools. That said, ACEJMC accreditation does signal that a program meets rigorous curriculum and faculty standards, so it can be a useful quality indicator if you are comparing schools. For practical purposes, confirming that your chosen school holds HLC accreditation is the essential step. It protects your investment, ensures your degree will be recognized by employers and other institutions, and keeps you eligible for federal financial aid.
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Tuition and Financial Aid: What Communication Degrees Cost in St. Louis
The sticker price of a communication degree in Missouri can vary dramatically between public and private institutions, but net price after financial aid tells a more accurate story. For example, the University of Missouri-St. Louis lists in-state tuition around $14,100, while private options like Avila University post tuition near $42,000. After institutional grants and federal aid, however, the effective net prices narrow considerably. Missouri residents should always file the FAFSA to unlock state-specific aid such as the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program and, for community college transfers, the A+ Scholarship, both of which can substantially reduce out-of-pocket costs. Among the programs below, UMSL and UMKC stand out for pairing moderate net prices with strong ten-year median earnings, offering some of the best debt-to-earnings ratios in the state.
Specializations and Concentrations You Can Pursue
A concentration is the focused area inside a communication major that shapes which courses you take, which internships you pursue, and which first jobs you can realistically target. In St. Louis, the most useful concentrations tend to line up with the region's major employers: health systems, corporate headquarters, and local broadcast and digital media.
Specializations That Align With St. Louis Industries
- Health communication: The University of Missouri offers a health communication concentration, a natural fit for the St. Louis medical corridor and health-focused organizations.
- Corporate and strategic communication: Rockhurst's Strategic Communication B.A., Webster's Integrated Strategic Communications, and Maryville's social media degree and strategic communication track speak directly to Fortune 500 and agency work. Maryville lists partnerships with Energizer, Nestlé Purina, and the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Media production and journalism: Saint Louis University lists media production and journalism and culture concentrations. William Woods offers digital filmmaking, digital media, and multimedia journalism, while Lindenwood maintains media production facilities and internships with St. Louis media organizations.
Niche Tracks vs. Generalist Degrees
Some St. Louis-area schools structure the Missouri communication degree as a generalist degree. WashU, Truman State, and Missouri State emphasize broad-based communication studies. Others go deep: William Woods lists seven concentrations, Columbia College lists eight, and Avila and UMSL report four options each. Maryville narrows the focus to two options: emerging media strategy and social media and strategic communication. If you want flexibility, a generalist degree can work. If you want a built-in specialty and a more employer-ready portfolio, a named track usually helps.
How a Concentration Shapes Career Trajectory
Choosing a concentration changes more than your electives. It positions you for different starting roles and salary bands. Webster reports a median salary of $76,950 for marketing analysts, a common path for integrated strategic communications graduates. Maryville reports median earnings of $59,300, while UMSL reports $79,050 for communication graduates. Public relations and corporate communication tracks tend to feed agency and headquarters roles, media production tracks lead to broadcast and digital content jobs, and health communication supports roles in hospitals, insurers, and public health organizations.
Admissions Requirements Compared Across St. Louis Schools
One of the most encouraging trends for working professionals considering a communication degree in St. Louis is that every major program in the metro area has adopted a test-optional admissions policy. That means you can apply without submitting ACT or SAT scores, removing a significant barrier for non-traditional students who may have been out of the classroom for years. The table below compares key admissions criteria across five St. Louis institutions offering bachelor's communication programs. Specific application deadlines for the 2026-2027 academic year were not published by any of these schools at the time of review, so prospective students should contact admissions offices directly or check each university's website for the most current dates.
| School | Min GPA | Test Policy | Application Deadline | Transfer Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMSL | 3.0 core GPA (for test-optional review) | Test-optional for first-time applicants (spring, summer, and fall 2026) | Not published at time of review | Accepts up to 60 credits from two-year institutions; transfer applicants with 24 or more credits need a 2.3 cumulative transfer GPA |
| Saint Louis University | Not specified in published materials | Test-optional for all undergraduate programs | Not published at time of review | Applicants with 24 or more semester credits submit all college transcripts; those with fewer follow freshman requirements |
| Webster University | 2.5 preferred (transfer applicants) | Test-optional; applicants choose whether scores are considered | Rolling admissions (specific deadlines not published) | Generous transfer credit policy with rolling review |
| Lindenwood University | Not specified in published materials | Test-optional; students may apply with or without scores | Not published at time of review | Requires transcripts from all prior institutions; official high school transcript needed if fewer than 24 transferable credits |
| Maryville University | 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (transfer applicants) | Does not require standardized test scores for freshmen or transfers (except in select cases) | Not published at time of review | Transfer applicants accepted; specific credit limits not stated in published materials |
Questions to Ask Yourself
Do you need the flexibility of a fully online program, or will on-campus study in St. Louis give you a networking edge?
Online formats fit working professionals, but being on the ground in St. Louis puts you closer to agencies, hospital systems, and corporate communications teams where warm introductions often turn into internships and first jobs.
Are you drawn to a specific track like public relations or health communication, or do you want a generalist degree?
A concentration signals expertise to employers in that niche, while a broader communication major keeps you eligible for roles across marketing, media, and corporate settings if your interests are still evolving.
How carefully are you weighing program cost against likely earnings in your first years after graduation?
Comparing net price (tuition minus aid) to typical starting salaries for communication graduates helps you judge whether a program's price tag matches the career payoff you can reasonably expect in the St. Louis market.
Career Outcomes and Earnings for Communication Graduates in St. Louis
The earnings question is the pivot point for many St. Louis working professionals: you want a strong communication degree ROI without pausing your income for years. Local occupational data and school-reported outcomes can help, but program-level federal earnings are still limited.
What St. Louis metro data shows
The clearest local figure is for media and communication workers, all other. In the St. Louis metro area, this category employed about 110 people, with a mean annual wage of $75,460 and a mean hourly wage of $36.28.1 That is a mean rather than a median, and it represents a small specialty slice, about 0.08% of local employment. For public relations specialists, marketing managers, and reporters, accessible St. Louis metro breakouts are thin; national public relations specialist pay averages around $71,940, but local wages can run differently.
Program earnings and employment signals
Federal program-level median earnings are not yet published for the St. Louis communication programs in this guide. Some schools report their own figures: Maryville lists $59,300 in median earnings for its communication program, while UMKC's online professional communication program lists $54,000. Treat both as directional school-reported data, not standardized comparisons. The one-year employment share, meaning the percentage of graduates working rather than enrolled, is also not publicly reported for these specific programs. Placement rates are easier to find but not always defined the same way: Saint Louis University cites 90%, Maryville 98%, and Lindenwood 100%. For online and hybrid learners, ask whether placement and earnings figures include students in online communications degree programs who completed asynchronously or transferred in, because outcomes can differ by delivery format.
Careers tied to St. Louis employers
- Public relations specialist: agencies and in-house teams at consumer brands, healthcare systems, and regional institutions.
- Marketing coordinator: packaged goods, financial services, and agency roles across the metro.
- Corporate communications manager: larger employers with internal communications, investor relations, and employee engagement functions.
- Media producer: mass communication careers in broadcast stations, sports organizations such as the St. Louis Cardinals, and production studios.
- Social media strategist: retail, nonprofit, and healthcare organizations building digital audiences.
Because the current public data does not identify the highest-earning program, ask each school directly for its latest first-year and fourth-year median earnings and the share of graduates working rather than enrolled.
Internships and Experiential Learning in St. Louis
An internship in communication is a supervised, credit-bearing work placement where you produce real deliverables (press releases, campaign copy, video packages, social content, media pitches) for an outside organization while a faculty member and a working professional evaluate your progress. In St. Louis, these placements are often the single biggest differentiator between one program and another, and they are especially important to weigh as you compare communication career options when choosing between an on-campus and an online-only path.
What UMSL Requires and Where Students Land
The University of Missouri St. Louis builds experiential learning directly into its Communication major. Students must complete 3 credit hours of practicum or internship, and while up to 6 hours of internship credit can be registered, no more than 6 count toward the 36-hour major.1 On-campus practicum placements include University Admissions, Alumni Relations, Sports Communication, The Current (the student newspaper), Student Activities, and University Marketing and Communications.1 UMSL also runs The Barnett Agency, a student-run PR agency that gives majors agency-side experience before graduation.1
Off-campus internships (registered as COMM 4920 or COMM 4950)4 place students at radio and TV stations, PR firms, advertising agencies, video production companies, and newspapers.1 Recent students have had strong experiences at Drive Social Media, Abstrakt Marketing, the Down Syndrome Association, and O'Fallon Brewery. UMSL Career Services, Handshake, The Rome Group, and Glassdoor are the standard search tools.2
SLU and the Broader Picture
Saint Louis University's Communication B.A. includes a practicum requirement, and qualified students can earn up to 3 credits through an internship placement sourced through Handshake.3 Beyond these two programs, published details about required practicums, student media, or named agency partnerships at Webster, Lindenwood, and Maryville are limited, so ask each program directly what placements recent graduates completed and whether an internship is required or optional.
Top-Ranked Communication Programs in St. Louis
Below are the top communication programs serving St. Louis students, ranked by federal completion data, accreditation status, and overall program fit. Graduation rates shown are institution-wide, not program-specific, so use them as one signal of institutional health rather than a direct measure of the communication program.
Our ranking methodology
- Graduation and retention rates
- Accreditation status
- Career outcomes and earnings
- Program fit and flexibility
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent program research
Westminster College
#1Fulton, MO · ~$24,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Business-focused undergraduates seeking close mentorship
Westminster College offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Communication that pairs communication theory with practical business skills in public speaking, public relations, professional writing, marketing, and management. Students gain experience through credit-bearing internships, campus PR campaigns, and writing for The Columns newspaper, supported by a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Alumni land in the top 16% nationally for graduate salary, and 98% are placed in jobs or graduate school soon after graduation. The net price after aid is about $24,300, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 55%.
- 98% job placement rate
- 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Internships count toward college credit
- Write for The Columns newspaper
- Careers in PR, marketing, sales, advertising
Washington University in St Louis
#2St. Louis, MO · $22,000/yr
Best for: Working professionals needing evening adult classes
Washington University in St. Louis offers a Bachelor's in Communications through University College, the adult and evening education division designed for working professionals and adult learners. The curriculum builds a foundation in communication theory, media studies, and practical writing, with evening classes that accommodate career and family commitments. Students benefit from WashU's Arts & Sciences rigor while preparing for careers in public relations, corporate communication, journalism, and digital media. The average net price after aid is about $21,800, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 94%.
- Offered through University College
- Designed for adult and evening students
- Starts in the fall
- Foundation in theory, media studies, and writing
University of Missouri
#3Columbia, MO · $20,000/yr
Best for: Flexible learners wanting three concentration options
The University of Missouri's Bachelor of Arts in Communication blends theory and practice across three focus areas: health communication, digital production, and cultural communication. Students develop persuasive messaging and research skills through core courses, a senior capstone, and optional study abroad, with internships strongly encouraged. The program offers on-campus and online options, plus an accelerated BA/MPA pathway for those considering graduate school. The average net price after aid is about $20,300, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 75%.
- Three concentrations: health, digital, cultural
- Accelerated BA/MPA option
- Internships strongly encouraged
- Study abroad and research opportunities
- Capstone required
- On-campus and online options
College of the Ozarks
#4Point Lookout, MO · $5,000 – $10,000/yr
College of the Ozarks offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts with four emphases: journalism, public relations, speech communication, and video production. The curriculum pairs theory with real-world projects in the on-campus newsroom, radio station, and PR office, and faculty bring deep industry experience. A unique work component helps students offset costs and graduate debt-free, contributing to a net price of about $6,100 after aid. The institution-wide graduation rate is 64%.
- Four emphases: journalism, PR, speech, video
- Real-world projects in campus newsroom and radio
- Faculty include retired ABC News correspondent
- Work component helps students graduate debt-free
Saint Louis University
#5Saint Louis, MO · $24,000/yr (net price)
Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Arts in Communication features a concentration in media production, journalism, and culture, with an internationally focused option through SLU-Madrid. The program emphasizes social justice and ethical communication, with opportunities for internships, study abroad at the St. Louis campus, and student media including KSLU radio. Department partnerships with St. Louis-area professionals create mentoring and networking pathways for students. The average net price after aid is about $24,400, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 80%.
- Media production, journalism, and culture concentration
- Internship credit opportunities
- Students run KSLU radio
- Study abroad at SLU-Madrid option
- Social justice and ethics emphasis
- Small class sizes and faculty mentorship
Truman State University
#6Kirksville, MO · ~$13,000/yr (est.)
Truman State University's Bachelor of Arts in Communication offers five concentrations, including strategic communication and activism and advocacy. Coursework spans family communication, intercultural communication, digital video production, and communication law, with hands-on experience through student media like The Index newspaper, KTRM-FM radio, and KTRM Studios. Students can also join clubs such as Ad and PR Club and the Lambda Pi Eta honor society. The average net price after aid is about $12,800, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 69%.
- Five concentration options
- Student newspaper, radio, and TV studios
- Courses include communication law and digital video
- Lambda Pi Eta honor society
- Ad and PR Club
Maryville University
#7Saint Louis, MO · ~$22,000/yr (est.)
Maryville University's Bachelor of Arts in Communication offers two concentrations: emerging media strategy and social media, and strategic communication. The curriculum covers digital writing, social media campaigns, web design, crisis management, public relations, advertising, and marketing, with an internship requirement connecting students to companies like Energizer, Nestlé Purina, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Small classes, an iPad for every student, and a life coach support the learning experience, and graduates report a median salary of $59,300. The average net price after aid is about $22,100, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 66%.
- Two concentrations: emerging media and strategic communication
- Internships at Energizer, Nestlé Purina, Cardinals
- 98% career outcomes rate
- Median earnings of $59,300
- Average class size of 14
- Students receive an iPad
University of Missouri-Kansas City
#8Kansas City, MO · $13,000 – $30,000/yr
The University of Missouri-Kansas City offers a 100% online Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Professional Communication emphasis, designed for working adults. The curriculum builds practical skills in public speaking, interpersonal communication, strategic writing, and cultural awareness, with a capstone or internship at the end. Rolling admissions, no application fee for domestic students, and transfer of up to 60 credit hours make it easy to start, and synchronous and asynchronous courses add flexibility. The average net price after aid is about $13,300, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 55%.
- 100% online with synchronous and asynchronous courses
- Internship or capstone requirement
- Rolling admissions, no application fee
- Transfer up to 60 credit hours
- $470 per credit
William Jewell College
#9Liberty, MO · ~$18,000/yr (est.)
William Jewell College's Bachelor of Arts in Communication offers a business and professional communication emphasis that layers analytics and marketing onto core communication training. Students complete a required internship with Kansas City-area organizations, with recent placements at Cerner and Sporting KC, and the flexible curriculum supports a second major. Small classes and faculty mentorship give students personalized support. The average net price after aid is about $17,600, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 68%.
- Business and professional communication emphasis
- Required internship with Kansas City organizations
- Recent interns at Cerner and Sporting KC
- Flexible double major option
- Small classes and dedicated faculty
University of Missouri-St Louis
#10Saint Louis, MO · $15,000 – $20,000/yr
The University of Missouri-St. Louis offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with optional emphasis areas in applied visual communication, interpersonal communication, mass communication, and strategic communication. Students gain real-world experience through a capstone public relations course and the student-run firm The Barnett Agency, with the option to earn both bachelor's and master's degrees through an accelerated dual degree track. Classes are available on campus and 100% online, and graduates report a median salary of $79,050. The average net price after aid is about $15,100, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 57%.
- Four emphasis areas including strategic communication
- Student-run PR firm The Barnett Agency
- Capstone public relations course
- Accelerated BA/MA dual degree option
- On-campus or 100% online
- Median earnings of $79,050
Frequently Asked Questions About Communication Degrees in St. Louis
Choosing the right communication program means sorting through logistics like delivery format, cost, and career relevance. Below are answers to the questions St. Louis students ask most often, drawn from current program details and institutional data.
