The Show-Me State doesn’t shy away from the media spotlight with 11 HLC-accredited bachelor’s in communications programs in Missouri just at the beginning of the alphabet. Famous for launching the Pony Express in 1860, Missouri has developed a $293 billion economy ranked 19th for growth prospects by Forbes. Here communications grads gain experience in four of America’s biggest media markets: St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Paducah-Cape Girardeau. Popular Missouri outlets like the Columbia Daily Tribune, KMBC-TV, Patch Media, Zimmer Radio, Steamshovel Press, and Bon Appétit need fresh talent. Missouri also houses 24 Fortune 1000 companies, including Leggett & Platt, Arch Coal, DST Systems, Belden, Express Scripts, and O’Reilly, that need smart PR campaigns. Learn the tools of the media trade by considering these undergraduate communications schools in Missouri (A-L).
See our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs.
Avila University
School of Visual & Communication Arts
Bestowed six 2018 MCMA Awards, including Best in Class, Avila University is a private, Catholic liberal arts school of The Heart that has modeled Saint Theresa’s values since 1916 for 1,676 Eagles at the 13-building “City of Fountains” campus off Interstate 435. Avila was declared America’s 256th most diverse college on Niche, 191st top value by WalletHub, and 32nd best service-oriented university in Washington Monthly. The School of Visual & Communication Arts currently charges $19,900 annually for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Missouri with a four-year graduation guarantee.
Communication Major
Chaired by Nicole Esquibel, MFA, Avila’s Communication Major maintains a 12:1 student-professor ratio to confer a Bachelor of Arts focused on creatively representing diverse thoughts. The 120-credit program utilizes the 6,000-square-foot Dallavis Center’s resources like Adobe Premiere CS 6 for concentrations in Film & Digital Media, Advertising & Public Relations, Sports Communication, or Healthcare Communication. Undergrads can also publish Talon News, exhibit in Thornhill Gallery, join the AAF, become Avila Ambassadors, and intern at Fox2Now St. Louis.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Dallavis Center 809
11901 Wornall Road
Kansas City, MO 64145
(816) 501-3646
viscom@avila.edu
Calvary University
Undergraduate College
Stocking 56,000+ books in Hilda Kroeker Library, Calvary University is a private, evangelical Christian ACCA member founded in 1932 that’s gifting $718,630 in financial aid for 425 Warriors at the 13-acre Jackson County campus and online via Canvas. Calvary was proclaimed America’s 264th best online university by the U.S. News & World Report, third top private value on Online College Plan, and 26th lowest student debt on LendEDU. Named among Knowledge Review’s 50 most admirable institutions, the Undergraduate College presents one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Missouri with 72 percent acceptance.
Journalism and Mass Communications (PDS, Major)
Presently priced at $372 in-person or $412 online per credit, Calvary’s Journalism and Mass Communications (PDS, Major) builds on the Biblical foundation to train undergrads for imparting wisdom on large-scale audiences. The 126-credit Bachelor of Science overseen by Dr. Teddy Bitner integrates courses from Broadcast Management to Media Ethics and Photoimaging. Students could also intern at the Kansas City Star, perform in Liberty Chapel, engage in the Burnham Center, join International Club, and attend the Nikao Leadership Institute.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
• Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
Contact
15800 Calvary Road
Kansas City, MO 64147
(816) 322-0110
admissions@calvary.edu
Central Methodist University
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Chosen as a 2018 IBS College Award Finalist for Eagle Radio, Central Methodist University is a private, coed Protestant CIC member celebrating its 165th anniversary that’s endowed for $31 million to educate 5,200 faithful from the 55-acre Columbia Metro campus where Killer Diller was filmed. CMU is deemed America’s 351st best athletics college on Niche, 138th top baccalaureate university in Washington Monthly, and 11th best buy by OnlineU. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences has an average class size of 17 with two bachelor’s in communications programs in Missouri rolled into one for $23,650 per year.
Bachelor of Arts/Science in Communication
Accepting free applications until August 20th, CMU’s Bachelor of Arts/Science in Communication considers freshmen with minimum 2.5 GPAs or 2250 GED scores for studying human interaction methods in Fayette. The 124-credit degree directed by Dr. Kristin Cherry offers courses like Expository Writing, Media Convergence, Cinema Studies, and Audio Production. Majors might also edit The Collegian, minor in Theatre, join Omicron Delta Kappa, take Nicaragua mission trips, intern at The Braun Home, attend MOACAC Conference, and earn the Gulstad Scholarship.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
T. Berry Smith Hall 404
411 Central Methodist Square
Fayette, MO 65248
(660) 248-6330
kcherry@centralmethodist.edu
College of the Ozarks
Communication Arts Department
Hosting the Free Enterprise Forum in Jones Auditorium each April, the College of the Ozarks is a private, Presbyterian MCAC constituent founded in 1906 by Rev. James Forsythe that’s endowed for $505 million to enlighten 1,441 Bobcats at the 1,000-acre campus on Lake Taneycomo. COFO is named America’s 91st best liberal arts college on Forbes, seventh most selective school by Chronicle of Higher Education, and 73rd best value in Money. Also ranked 224th on Niche, the Communication Arts Department stands out among bachelor’s in communications programs in Missouri by covering the $18,700 tuition with the Work Program.
Communication Arts Major
Dedicated to John 18:37, COFO’s Communication Arts Major studies the Incarnate Word to help undergrads vocalize their God-given talents and share truths responsibly for the common good. The 52-credit Bachelor of Arts major led by Dr. Stacy McNeill delivers five tracks: Public Relations, Journalism, Radio Production, Speech Communication, and Video Production. Other opportunities include publishing The Phoenix, deejaying on KCOZ 91.7FM, entering the Mission Training Institute, traveling abroad to Japan, and interning at the National Journalism Center.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Jamison Building 2nd Floor
100 Opportunity Avenue
Point Lookout, MO 65726
(417) 690-3285
mcneill@cofo.edu
Columbia College
School of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
Home to the Elizabeth Toomey Seabrook Writing Center, Columbia College is a private, nonsectarian AMC member founded in 1851 that’s endowed for $329 million to nurture 1,035 daytime Cougars at its 231-acre “Little Dixie” campus and 35 satellites. Columbia was chosen America’s 454th best college location on Niche, 131st best online school in the U.S. News & World Report, and 21st top value by WalletHub. Headed by Dr. Alison Rutledge, the School of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences currently bills $22,704 yearly for another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Missouri.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Reporting a median 3.43 GPA and 23 ACT score, Columbia’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies lets undergrads examine the 2,500-year-old humanities discipline to enrich their ability to express ideas. The 39-credit, flexible major is customizable with daytime courses like Film History, Oral Interpretation, Virtual Communities, and Advanced Acting. Students could edit the Literary Review, pledge Lambda Pi Eta, minor in American Sign Language, join Mock Trial, mentor at ArtStart Camp, intern with KOMU-TV, and take the Galapagos Island Tour too.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
St. Clair Hall 210
1001 Rogers Street
Columbia, MO 65216
(573) 875-7570
hass@ccis.edu
Cottey College
English Department
Holding the Merry Ann DeVaney Sauls Writing Contest every Spring, Cottey College is a private, women’s liberal arts school owned by the P.E.O. Sisterhood that’s endowed for $101.9 million to attract 350 Comets from 40 states to the 14-building Osage River Valley campus. Cottey was applauded for America’s seventh most active clubs by the U.S. News & World Report, 38th most female-friendly education on College Choice, and 48th top value on WalletHub. The English Department was positioned 269th nationally by College Factual for one of the single-sex bachelor’s in communications programs in Missouri requiring GPAs above 2.6.
BA Speech Communications
With an average class size of 14, Coffey’s BA Speech Communications teaches the essentials of prose to sharpen students’ ability to inform and entertain various audiences. The 122-credit curriculum organized by Dr. Trisha Stubblefield now charges $18,400 per year with three specializations for Electronic Media, Print Media, and Public Relations. Majors may also edit The Spectrum, join the Political Interest Group, visit Mark Twain’s home, intern at the Serenbetz Institute, attend the Women Writers Series, and perform in the Wild Center.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Rubie Burton Center 131
1000 West Austin Blvd.
Nevada, MO 64772
(417) 667-6333
tstubblefield@cottey.edu
Culver-Stockton College
Fine Arts Division
Publishing The Megaphone since 1919, Culver-Stockton College is a private, coed CIC member of The Heart founded by the Disciples of Christ that’s endowed for $21 million to instruct 1,066 Wildcats in 60 majors each 12/3 semester on the 140 Quincy Metro acres. C-SC was designated America’s 146th best Greek life school on Niche, 31st top baccalaureate university in Washington Monthly, and 53rd most connected campus by the U.S. News & World Report. Also ranked seventh on Best Value Schools, the Fine Arts Division awards one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Missouri for $25,615 annually.
Communication Major
Coordinated by Dr. Haidee Heaton, Culver-Stockton’s Communication Major holds 69 percent freshmen retention by quenching undergrads’ thirst for media management knowledge with an optional Dual Theatre Education track. The 45-credit B.A. major includes three practicum semesters within emphasis areas for Media Communication, Sports Communication, or Public Relations. Students can also edit Harmony magazine, broadcast on KCSW 97.1FM, earn the Mahan Award for Journalism, join Lambda Pi Eta, intern at Mesirow Financial, venture to Poland, and attend Robison Lectures.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
1 College Hill
Canton, MO 63435
(573) 288-6434
hheaton@culver.edu
Drury University
School of Communication & Fine and Performing Arts
Known for its Annual Nonprofit Communication Conference, Drury University is a private, coed Congregationalist AMC member opened in 1873 that’s endowed for $74 million to support 3,359 Panthers in 70 majors at the 90-acre Midtown campus once featured on NBC’s The Ford Show. Drury was lauded as America’s 364th best student life college on Niche, 216th top value in Kiplinger’s, and 301st smartest university by Business Insider. The School of Communication & Fine and Performing Arts maintains a 13:1 learner-faculty ratio for this bachelor’s in communications program in Missouri.
Strategic Communication Major (B.S.)
Costing $25,850 each year full-time, Drury’s Strategic Communication Major (B.S.) develops the media planning expertise to create research-driven campaign proposals that boost corporate image. The 43-credit, portfolio-based major administered by Dr. Charles Taylor, an NCA Most Outstanding Rhetorical Studies Scholar, integrates PR case studies into courses like Brand Management and Organizational Crisis. Undergrads could intern at Monsanto, publish The Mirror, report on DUTV Channel 83, join Multimedia Club, practice in the Speech Center, minor in Web Design, and visit Aegina too.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Shewmaker Center 138
900 North Benton Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 873-7391
ctaylor@drury.edu
Fontbonne University
College of Arts and Sciences
Partnered with the Disney Leadership Institute, Fontbonne University is a private, close-knit Catholic ACCU “College of Distinction” founded in 1923 that’s endowed for $17 million to inspire 2,098 undergrad Griffins on a 16-acre Clayton campus with the Mobile App Lab. Fontbonne is crowned America’s 125th safest school on Niche, 103rd best value by WalletHub, and 445th top university overall in Washington Monthly. The College of Arts and Sciences boasts a 96 percent career outcome rate for another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Missouri at Nestle Purina, ESM Marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Boeing, the St. Louis Cardinals, and more.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Open for admission until August 1st or December 12th, Fontbonne’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies mandates a minimum 960 SAT score before starting media critiques to polish language expression skills. The 120-credit program chaired by Dr. Heather Norton costs $24,250 yearly for engaging content like Message Analysis, British Literature, and Gender Communication. Majors might also contribute to the Bosnia Memory Project, digitalize The Font, declare Honors, earn the Denny Gipson Scholarship, join the NSSLHA Chapter, and volunteer with Urban Harvest.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
East Building 320
6800 Wydown Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63105
(314) 889-3641
HNorton@Fontbonne.edu
Hannibal-LaGrange University
Communication Studies Department
Participating in the 2018 National Religious Broadcasters Convention, Hannibal-LaGrange University is a private, coed Christian NAIA school celebrating its 160th year that’s endowed for $6.6 million to enlighten 1,150 Trojans from 25 states at its 110-acre Marion County campus. HLGU was ranked America’s 147th most conservative college on Niche, 141st best baccalaureate buck in Washington Monthly, 10th best Southern Baptist university by College Factual. The Communication Studies Department offers funds like the Rothweiler Scholarship to afford $21,710 annually for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Missouri.
Bachelor of Arts or Science in Media Communication
Exclusively in Hannibal, HLGU’s Bachelor of Arts or Science in Media Communication upholds Christ-honoring ethics to instill interpersonal “Knowledge for Service” at a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The 122-credit curriculum led by Prof. Christina Brennemann, the 2004 IBA Broadcast Award winner, has emphasis areas for Speech, Journalism, Public Relations, or Audio/Video Production. Undergrads can also perform with Praise Song, volunteer at Douglass Community Center, travel to Lebanon, pledge Alpha Chi, join the Gatekeepers, produce The Vanguard, and transfer from the English AA.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
2800 Palmyra Road
Hannibal, MO 63401
(573) 221-3675
cbrennemann@hlg.edu
Lindenwood University
School of Arts, Media, and Communications
Equipping a state-of-the-art LUTV Studio with Hitachi SK- HD1000 cameras, Lindenwood University is a private, Presbyterian MIAA school founded by the Sibleys in 1827 that’s endowed for $143 million to welcome 6,856 Lions into 120 majors at the St. Charles and Belleville campuses. Lindenwood was picked America’s 426th hardest college on Niche, 486th best university on the Social Mobility Index, and 574th top university in Washington Monthly. The School of Arts, Media, and Communications reports 4.5 percent annual ROI on PayScale for another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Missouri.
BA in Broadcast Communication
Led by Dr. Jason Dude Lively, Lindenwood’s BA in Broadcast Communication has an average class size of 25 for teaching the basics of 21st-century electronic media for professional reporting practice. The 36-credit major currently charges $16,900 yearly with full-time schedules of News Videography, Television Production, Web Design, Music Business, and more. Students could also add the Media Literacy Minor, publish The Buzz, deejay on KCLC 89.1FM, study abroad in Germany, enter the Honors College, pursue the Master of Arts, and join the Film Society.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Scheidegger Center 1040
209 South Kingshighway
St. Charles, MO 63301
(636) 949-4696
jlively@lindenwood.edu
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the 35,040 media jobs across Missouri present a mean annual wage of $51,080. A communications background is useful for various industries, even some of CNBC’s top-paying careers like enterprise architect, app developer, user experience manager, and marketing director.
Continue:
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Missouri (M-S)
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Missouri (T-Z)