The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has been ranked among the most affordable colleges in the country offering online degrees in the journalism field. 

Great Value Colleges ranked UA Little Rock seventh on its list of the “30 Most Affordable Online Colleges Offering Degrees for Journalism Jobs 2018.”

For an affordable $280 per credit hour, hopeful journalists can earn a Bachelor of Arts in applied communication online, which consists of 120 credit hours and teaches students how to analyze messages, develop messages, anticipate communication barriers, accomplish communicative goals, embrace difference, and influence discourse. Students can also complete this degree in an accelerated format with eight-week courses.

Another journalism-related option, the Bachelor of Arts in professional and technical writing offers a curriculum that provides practical writing, editing, and document design skills. The program has two concentrations: nonfiction and technical writing. This online bachelor’s degree can earn graduates positions as grant writers, freelance writers, teachers, nonfiction writers, ghostwriters, web developers, and editors.

Students also have the option to continue their studies with online master’s degree programs like the Master of Arts in mass communication, which offers a media research option and professional mass media option, or the Master of Arts in professional and technical writing.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for reporters, correspondents and broadcast news analysts is dim with a 10 percent decline from 2016 to 2026 with almost 5,000 fewer jobs in the market.

On the other hand, employment of general media and communication occupations is projected to grow 6 percent during those 10 years, which is about the average growth for all occupations and will result in about 45,300 new jobs. The BLS states, “Demand for media and communication occupations is expected to arise from the need to create, edit, translate, and disseminate information through a variety of different platforms.”

The rankings were based on information from the National Center for Education Statistics’ College Navigator Database, the individual school’s website, and additional college resource websites.