BA vs. BS in communication: Jobs you can pursue with each

ommunication programs examine how people exchange messages across contexts to share meaning. A communication degree builds the most sought-after skills by potential employers including critical thinking and effective communication.

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communication can prepare you for an array of career opportunities, including roles in advocacy, non-profit work, health, entrepreneurism, public relations and more.

Jobs you could get with a BA in communication

A Bachelor of Arts in communication will give you insight into the inner workings of the individual, cultural, and societal side of communication and an expertise in qualitative research including in-depth interviewing and focus groups. Your program will expand your knowledge of organizational culture and training in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Here are some examples of careers that a BA in communication can help you pursue:

• Public relations specialist

PR specialists are involved in the messaging happening within and between an organization and the public. You can work for an organization that focuses on interests you value, help advocate for them, and craft messages to confront crises. Public relations specialists had a median annual salary of $62,800 in 2022 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). And job growth in the field is projected to increase by 8% between 2021-2031.

If you prefer a position in advocacy, a press secretary or communication director position interfaces fields press inquiries, drafts press releases, crafts policy advice, and creates blog posts and social media content. These positions require effective written communication and the ability to use critical thinking skills to synthesize data to surface insights useful to the organization.

• Marketing associate

Marketing associates work closely with a company’s clients and account managers. A marketing associate’s responsibilities may include collecting data on trends, editing copy, and serving as a liaison between their company and its clients. Other day-to-day tasks may include helping to organize events, creating client presentations, and using qualitative data to offer insights on campaigns.

Jobs you could get with a BS in communication

In a Bachelor of Science in communication program, you’ll use a data driven perspective to investigate and respond to problems in relationships, workplace teams, community, and cultural groups. BS in communication courses hone your data comprehension abilities, allowing you to describe complex quantitative data to diverse audiences; which is a job skill in high demand, both in public and private sectors.

Potential career paths for graduates with a BS in communication include:

• Medical and health services manager

Medical and health services managers work on the business side of a health care company to plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. They work closely with physicians, nurses, and other health care workers to ensure facilities are up to date and compliant with laws and regulations.

Medical and health services managers had a median annual salary of $101,340 in 2021, according to the BLS. Job growth for the role is expected to grow 28% between 2021 and 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

• Nonprofit management

Nonprofit managers keep an organization running smoothly and effectively in the face of a diverse set of operational challenges. Nonprofit managers use their strong relational and analytical skills to make important decisions about the health of the organization and build relationships with donors.

The median annual salary for public relations and fundraising managers was $119,000 in 2021 according to the BLS. Job growth for these roles are expected to grow 8% between 2021 and 2031.

Earn your communication degree online from Arizona State University

ASU Online offers both a BA and BS in communication.

• The online Bachelor of Arts in communication focuses on the humanities side of communication with a curriculum that explores how messages impact and are impacted by advocacy, culture, work, and our relationships. You’ll explore how setting, context and style impact shared understanding.
• Our Bachelor of Science in communication takes an analytical approach to the investigation of relationships, workplaces, and cultures. You’ll build an in-depth understanding of how communication theory and practice connect to real world issues, and use data driven skills applicable in business, politics, government and nonprofit careers.