Best Online Communications Programs in North Carolina (2026)

Home > Programs > Communications > States > North Carolina


North Carolina Communications At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Communications Salary$84,148
Salary OutlookNorth Carolina offers competitive wages for communications professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyNorth Carolina Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online communications degree in North Carolina offers a flexible path into communications careers. North Carolina offers competitive wages for communications professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, North Carolina students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Communications Schools in North Carolina

The following schools offer accredited online communications programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in North Carolina.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC BOC Score 91.9
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Graduation rate 91%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $72,200
Avg net price $11,655/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 97%
  • Programs offered: 34

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC BOC Score 84.6
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Graduation rate 85%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $68,758
Avg net price $17,303/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 94%
  • Programs offered: 59

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Duke University

Durham, NC BOC Score 82.1
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Graduation rate 97%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $97,800
Avg net price $29,612/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 97%
  • Programs offered: 20

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Davidson College

Davidson, NC BOC Score 78.3
  • 4 year
Graduation rate 90%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $81,400
Avg net price $17,379/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 95%
  • Programs offered: 6

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#5

Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte

Charlotte, NC BOC Score 52.2
  • 4 year
Graduation rate 54%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $43,418
Avg net price $27,426/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 68%
  • Programs offered: 11

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

University of North Carolina Asheville

Asheville, NC BOC Score 46.7
  • 4 year
Graduation rate 64%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $44,030
Avg net price $12,250/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 73%
  • Programs offered: 7

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#7

Bennett College

Greensboro, NC BOC Score 20.6
  • 4 year
Graduation rate 26%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $36,654
Avg net price $28,299/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 87%
  • Programs offered: 6

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in North Carolina

Communications professionals in North Carolina experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for North Carolina.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (North Carolina)
Public Relations Specialist$67,230
Public Relations Manager$132,280
News Analyst, Reporter and Journalist$58,670
Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist$78,410

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Communications Degree in North Carolina?

Choosing a program in North Carolina can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in North Carolina offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the North Carolina economy and job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online communications programs in North Carolina accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Communications pay in North Carolina compare to other states?

North Carolina offers competitive wages for communications professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes North Carolina a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for communications in North Carolina?

The North Carolina Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in North Carolina. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Browse Other States

More North Carolina guides

Best Online Communications Programs in Apex, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Asheboro, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Asheville, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Boone, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Burlington, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Carrboro, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Cary, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Chapel Hill, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Charlotte, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Clayton, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Clemmons, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Concord, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Cornelius, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Durham, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Elizabeth City, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Fayetteville, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Forest City, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Fuquay-Varina, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Garner, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Gastonia, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Goldsboro, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Greensboro, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Greenville, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Havelock, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Henderson, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Hickory, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in High Point, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Holly Springs, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Huntersville, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Indian Trail, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Jacksonville, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Kannapolis, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Kernersville, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Kill Devil Hills, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Kinston, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Laurinburg, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Lincolnton, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Lumberton, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Matthews, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Mint Hill, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Monroe, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Mooresville, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Morehead City, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Morrisville, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in New Bern, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Pinehurst, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Raleigh, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Roanoke Rapids, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Rockingham, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Rocky Mount, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Salisbury, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Sanford, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Shelby, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Smithfield, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Statesville, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Thomasville, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Wake Forest, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Wilmington, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Wilson, NC (2026) Best Online Communications Programs in Winston-Salem, NC (2026)