Is a Communication Degree Worth It?

Have you ever stopped to think about how much of your day revolves around communication? You probably wake up in the morning and check your texts, emails, and social media. Maybe you listen to the radio or podcasts while in the car. And you greet your pets, family, and coworkers when you see them. Communication is everywhere. But is a communication degree worth it? 

Strong communication skills are important in every aspect of your life, but they are also incredibly important for the success of an organization. Whether you’re working with a team, managing a brand, or advocating for a cause, being able to connect with others is key. 

At UTSA Online, you can fine tune your communication skills through our 100% online Communication degree. You’ll learn from world-renowned faculty who bring real-world experience and academic excellence into every course. They don’t just teach you; they mentor, guide, and help you build the life you deserve. 

At UTSA Online, you’ll get a great education from an award-winning school. You’ll study the same material from the same faculty members as our in-person students. But you’ll get to study from the comfort of your own home. Or the coffee shop. Or wherever you have internet access, whenever fits best with your schedule.

Now, let’s get started. We’ll explore the career prospects, value, and benefits of earning a communication degree. But first, let’s see what’s involved in this type of program. 

What’s Involved in a Communication Degree?

A communication degree is more than just learning how to speak or write well. You’ll study how people share information, influence others, and build relationships across platforms and cultures.

At its core, a communication degree covers:

• Media and digital communication
• Public relations and strategic messaging
• Interpersonal and organizational communication
• Digital media production and storytelling
• And more

Through a communication degree, you’ll learn to tailor messages to specific audiences – skills that are valuable in nearly any industry. Whether you’re writing a press release, producing a podcast, or managing social media accounts, these abilities will help you succeed.

At UTSA Online, you’ll take courses like Language and Communication Theory, where you’ll explore how language shapes the way people think, act, and connect.

Depending on your preferences, you’ll also have the opportunity to add either:

• A Digital Communication concentration that focuses on digital media production and more.
• A Public Relations concentration that focuses on communicating through news releases, brochures, and more.

Now that you have a general idea of what a communication degree entails, let’s discuss the benefits in more detail. 

Benefits of Earning a Communication Degree

Communication shapes how people connect, lead, and even succeed. The world is hyper-connected today, so having quality communication abilities isn’t just a skill. It’s a superpower. 

After all, a single social media post can go viral—and you want it to go viral for the right reasons. And a well-crafted email is far more likely to help you land your dream job than one filled with mistakes.

When you’re investing time, energy, and money into a degree, it’s only natural to ask, “What’s in it for me?” There are so many advantages to a communication degree, beyond just academic knowledge. It delivers real, tangible benefits so you can shape your career and your future. 

Career Mobility and Enhancement

With a communication degree, you’ll be set up for long-term career growth. We won’t get into this too much here, because you’ll read about some career opportunities in the next section. 

Just know “communication” is often the top skill employers look for when hiring. Here are some other skills you’ll learn or sharpen through UTSA Online’s Communication degree program:

• Writing 
• Public speaking
• Media production
• Teamwork
• Interpersonal skills
• Critical thinking
• And more

A communication degree doesn’t just teach you what to say – it teaches you how to say it, when to say it, and why it matters. When you graduate, you’ll have a competitive edge in the job market and confidence to go along with it.

Real-World Impact

As we mentioned above, communication skills are some of the most valuable tools you can develop. From conflict resolution to collaboration to leadership, they can strengthen both your career and your relationships.

Want to work in journalism or politics? Prefer to lead a business or dive into marketing and advertising? Maybe you’re a stay-at-home parent ready to pursue a lifelong dream of earning your degree. Whatever your goals, a Communication degree from UTSA Online can help you get there. 

You’ll learn to communicate in a way that inspires action, builds trust, and influences decisions. These skills are essential in leadership, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and more.

Versatility That Opens Doors

We’ve talked about how communication is everywhere, so it makes sense that a degree in the field is very versatile. You won’t be locked into one industry, job title, or even career path. Instead, you’ll have a set of skills that you can adapt as needed. 

Since a communication degree is so flexible, you’ll get to tailor your career path to your interests and strengths – and pivot when new opportunities arise.

Career Opportunities with a Communication Degree

We may sound like a broken record, but it’s true: communication skills are valuable in nearly every industry. Clear communication, relationship-building, and confident leadership are essential to success.

Let’s review some career paths you can pursue with a communication degree – and how UTSA Online prepares you for each one:

Public Relations Specialist

What You’ll Do:
As a PR specialist, you’ll manage the public image of a company, nonprofit, or public figure. You’ll write press releases, pitch stories to the media, handle crisis communication, and build relationships with journalists and influencers. 

How UTSA Online Prepares You:
Through courses in public relations writing and campaign planning, you’ll gain expertise in strategic messaging, media relations, and crisis communication.

Marketing Coordinator

What You’ll Do:
Marketing coordinators do more than just create ads. You’ll support campaigns by conducting market research, managing content calendars, coordinating events, and analyzing campaign performance. You’ll work closely with creative teams and stakeholders to bring marketing strategies to life. 

How UTSA Online Prepares You:
You’ll learn how to analyze audience behavior, develop persuasive messaging, and use digital tools like social media and email marketing platforms. The program emphasizes creative and analytical thinking, both key for marketing success.

Media Planner

What You’ll Do:
You’ll work with data to determine the best media mix – TV, digital, print, or social – and negotiate ad placements. Then you’ll decide where, when, and how to place those ads to reach the right audience. 

How UTSA Online Prepares You:
With courses in media planning and analytics, you can learn how to maximize reach and ROI in advertising campaigns. Topics include media strategy, audience segmentation, and the latest digital communication trends.

Corporate Communication Manager

What You’ll Do:
In this role, you’ll oversee internal and external communication for a company. You may work with the employee newsletters, executive messaging, brand voice, public statements, and more. It will be your job to ensure consistency and clarity across all channels. 

How UTSA Online Prepares You:
You’ll develop skills in organizational communication, leadership messaging, and change management. The program also emphasizes ethics and strategic thinking, both critical for managing a company’s reputation and culture.

Social Media Manager

What You’ll Do:
It may be hard to believe, but a lot goes into planning content for social media. You don’t just post something random to Instagram and hope it works. As a social media manager, you’ll plan, create, and manage content across different platforms. You’ll also engage with followers, track analytics, and shape a brand’s online voice and presence. 

How UTSA Online Prepares You:
You’ll learn how to craft compelling content for a specific audience and analyze engagement metrics. Studying topics like digital media and audience analysis will help you stay ahead of trends and build strong online communities.

Are Communication Majors in High Demand?

With the importance of communication in general, you’ll be in high demand with a communication degree. Media and communication occupations are projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, adding about 68,600 new jobs.

Here are 26 examples of communication jobs, with salary information included. This growth is fueled by the increasing demand for digital content, social media engagement, and strategic messaging.

Salaries in the field are also competitive, with many communication professionals earning well above the national average. For example: 

• Public Relations Manager – $138,000/year median salary
• Marketing Manager – $155,000/year median salary
• Project Management Specialist – $101,000/year median salary

Communication is such a valuable degree because of its universal relevance. Nearly every organization needs people who can craft clear messages, manage public perception, and build meaningful relationships with audiences.

As you can see, a Communication degree from UTSA Online will give you the skills you need to advance into leadership and executive positions with a strong earning potential. 

Is an Online Communication Degree Right for Me?

So, is a communication degree worth it? That depends on you and your goals. Are you a working professional, a parent, or someone looking to finish what you started? UTSA’s 100% online Communication degree may be the perfect fit for you. It’s ideal for:

• Career changers looking to enter a new field
• Professionals aiming to move into leadership roles
• Parents balancing family responsibilities with personal goals
• Lifelong learners who want to grow their skills without putting life on hold

With UTSA Online, you can study on your schedule, from anywhere, and get the same high-quality education as on-campus students.

How UTSA Online Can Get You Started

A communication degree is versatile, valuable, and in demand. It equips you with essential skills for both personal and professional growth. And when you graduate, you’ll have opened doors to a wide range of careers.

If you’re ready to turn your natural communication strengths into real-world impact, now’s the time to take the next step. A communication degree doesn’t just prepare you for a job – it empowers you to shape conversations, influence change, and lead with purpose.