Communication Studies vs Journalism: Which Path Fits You?

Choosing between communication studies and journalism starts with understanding how each field helps you develop your voice, skill set, and pathway into media or communication-focused careers. Both options attract learners who enjoy writing and connecting with audiences, but each one offers a distinct approach to communication.

Communication studies and journalism continue to be popular choices for students who want to strengthen their writing, digital literacy, and public-facing communication skills. Earning a communications degree can open doors in a range of growing fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), many top-employed occupations for communications graduates are projected to see employment increases from 2024 to 2034. ¹

Journalism, on the other hand, appeals to those who want to report stories, create multimedia content, or share essential information with the public. While the two fields share similarities, the core skills you build and the roles you prepare for can vary significantly.

As more learners pursue online programs that support their work and family responsibilities, it has become even more important to understand how these two degree pathways differ. Clarifying your interests, strengths, and long-term goals can help you determine whether a communication-centered or journalism-centered education is the better fit for your career direction.

Compare the Focus of Communication Studies vs. Journalism

Choosing between communication studies and journalism begins with understanding what each degree is designed to teach. While both fields emphasize writing, media, and public communication, they approach these skills from different angles. Communication studies explores how people exchange information in personal, professional, and organizational settings. Journalism focuses on researching, reporting, and producing stories for news and digital media.

Knowing these core differences can help you identify which learning experience and career direction aligns best with your strengths and interests.

Explore What a Communication Studies Degree Covers

A communication studies degree program examines how people create, share, and interpret messages in personal, professional, and public settings. Learners build a strong foundation in communication theory and practical application. This supports careers in many fields that rely on clear, strategic, and effective communication. 

Communication skills consistently rank among the most in-demand competencies across industries. ² Earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies can broaden your career options and prepare you for roles that involve leadership, collaboration, and public-facing communication.

Common areas of study with a bachelor’s degree in communication include:

• Interpersonal and organizational communication
• Strategic communication and persuasion
• Conflict management and group communication
• Communication theory and research methods
• Digital communication and media literacy

Graduates often use a communication degree to move into leadership-oriented roles as well. Many pursue careers in public relations, advocacy, nonprofit outreach, human resources, marketing coordination, corporate training, employee communication strategy, or community engagement. Because nearly every workplace depends on clear communication, this degree provides career flexibility and long-term growth potential.

Explore What a Journalism Degree Typically Includes

A journalism degree focuses on researching, reporting, and producing stories that inform the public. Learners develop strong writing, interviewing, and multimedia production skills that prepare them for careers in digital media, public information, content creation, and news reporting. As media continues to evolve, journalism graduates benefit from a skill set that applies to both traditional newsrooms and the expanding world of digital communication.

Common areas of study with a bachelor’s degree in journalism include:

• Newswriting and reporting
• Investigative and long-form journalism
• Media ethics and law
• Multimedia storytelling and digital production
• Editorial and newsroom practices

Undergraduate journalism programs emphasize accuracy, fact-checking, ethical decision-making, and public-interest storytelling. These competencies prepare graduates for roles such as digital reporters, editors, multimedia producers, copywriters, content creators, and public information specialists. As various industries now produce online content, journalism graduates often find opportunities in public agencies, nonprofits, marketing teams, and digital media companies in addition to newsroom settings.

Compare the Skills Built in Communication Studies vs. Journalism

Communication studies and journalism both develop strong writing and communication skills, but the focus and application of those skills differ. Understanding these differences can help you choose the path that aligns with the type of work you want to do and the environment you prefer.

Gain Broad, Transferable Skills With a Communication Studies Degree

A communication studies degree strengthens interpersonal, strategic, and organizational communication skills that are used across nearly every industry. Learners develop a versatile skill set that supports roles requiring collaboration, leadership, and effective message design.

Core skills strengthened in communication studies include:

• Public speaking and interpersonal communication
• Strategic messaging and audience analysis
• Leadership and team communication
• Cultural awareness and conflict resolution
• Writing for digital, professional, and organizational settings

These skills help graduates succeed in roles that involve relationship building, public-facing communication, group facilitation, training, and organizational strategy. Because the skills are highly transferable, communication studies graduates often find opportunities in business, nonprofits, education, public service, and corporate environments.

Build Multimedia and Storytelling Skills With a Journalism Degree

A journalism degree emphasizes applied writing, digital storytelling, and content production. Learners strengthen their ability to gather information, verify facts, and produce compelling content for online platforms, news organizations, or public information roles.

Core skills strengthened in journalism include:

• Writing clear, accurate, research-based content
• Interviewing and sourcing information
• Multimedia reporting and visual storytelling
• Story development for digital platforms
• Fact-checking and ethical decision-making

These skills prepare graduates for fast-paced content production environments and roles that require accuracy, creativity, and strong editorial judgment. Journalism graduates often thrive in careers related to digital content, social media production, public information, creative storytelling, or communication roles within government and nonprofit organizations.

Compare Career Opportunities in Communication Studies vs. Journalism

Once you understand how each degree approaches communication, the next step is looking at where those skills can take you professionally.

Communication studies and journalism pave very different paths in the workplace, shaping the types of organizations you may work for and the roles you may pursue. If you are considering which direction aligns more closely with your long-term goals, comparing the career outcomes side by side can offer valuable clarity. Many learners who prefer a wider range of options across industries find that a communication studies program provides the flexibility and breadth they are looking for.

Explore Career Paths You Can Pursue With a Communication Studies Degree

A communication studies degree prepares learners for roles across many industries because strong communication is essential in most workplaces. Graduates often step into positions that involve relationship building, strategic planning, and public-facing communication, especially in business, education, nonprofits, marketing, and human resources.

Common career paths for communication studies graduates include:

• Public relations or community outreach specialist
• Corporate communication coordinator
• Marketing or social media associate
• Human resources assistant or training specialist
• Nonprofit communication coordinator
• Employee engagement or internal communication specialist
• Customer experience or client relations coordinator

Because the skills developed in communication studies are highly transferable, graduates have the flexibility to transition between industries or advance into supervisory or managerial roles with experience.

The 100% online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies at NMSU Global Campus is particularly valuable for learners who want broad career options rather than a narrow, specialized track.

Explore Career Paths You Can Pursue With a Journalism Degree

Journalism programs help learners develop the writing, research, and multimedia skills needed for today’s content-driven communication roles. While some graduates pursue newsroom positions, many apply their training in government agencies, nonprofits, marketing teams, and digital media organizations that produce regular public-facing content.

Common career paths for journalism graduates include:

• Reporter or digital journalist
• Content writer or editor
• Multimedia producer or videographer
• Public information officer in government or public agencies
• Copywriter for digital or print content
• Social media content creator
• Digital storyteller or multimedia strategist

As more organizations build in-house content and media teams, journalism graduates increasingly step into roles focused on digital storytelling, brand communication, and public information. This makes the degree valuable not only for newsroom careers but also for learners interested in creating compelling content for broader audiences.

Compare Job Outlook and Salary Trends in Communication and Journalism

Understanding job outlook and earning potential can help you determine which degree aligns with your long-term career goals. Communication and media occupations continue to evolve as organizations increasingly rely on digital content, online engagement, and strategic messaging. This shift has strengthened demand for professionals who can write clearly, present information effectively, and create meaningful content for diverse audiences.

Communication professionals, such as public relations specialists, earn a median annual wage of $69,780. ³ Media and communication workers overall earn a median of $70,300, reflecting steady earning potential for graduates entering creative, strategic, or public-facing roles. ⁴ These figures highlight the value of strong communication competencies across industries.

For journalism-focused careers, salary can vary based on specialization, industry, and experience level. News analysts, reporters, and journalists earn a median annual wage of about $60,280. ⁵ Graduates who develop strong multimedia and digital production skills often find additional opportunities in public agencies, nonprofit organizations, marketing teams, and digital media environments. As organizations continue to expand their online presence, professionals with strong storytelling and content development skills remain in high demand.

Both communication studies and journalism degrees provide pathways to roles with long-term growth potential. However, communication studies can offer broader career flexibility across various fields, including business, human resources, marketing, and organizational communication.

Identify Which Degree Matches Your Strengths and Interests

Communication studies may be the right fit if you are interested in how communication supports collaboration, decision-making, and organizational success. This degree is especially well-suited for learners who want to build skills in the following areas:

• Strategic and interpersonal communication
• Teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving
• Planning, coordination, and public-facing communication

A Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies focuses on how messages influence behavior and workplace dynamics. The skills you’ll develop apply in business, education, nonprofit organizations, marketing, human resources, community engagement, and more. This makes the degree a strong option for learners seeking flexibility and long-term growth.

Graduate study can also support continued career advancement. Learners who already hold a bachelor’s degree, or who plan to pursue advanced education, may benefit from a Master of Arts in Communication Studies. This program helps professionals strengthen leadership, organizational communication, research, and strategic messaging skills. It also supports preparation for senior roles, teaching opportunities, and specialized communication positions across industries.

Journalism may be a better fit for learners who enjoy producing content and sharing news and human interest stories with the public. This field often appeals to individuals who are interested in:

• Writing, interviewing, and storytelling
• Digital content creation and multimedia production
• Working in fast-paced, content-focused environments

Journalism programs prepare learners to gather information, ask questions, and craft narratives for public audiences. A journalism degree supports careers in media, digital content, and other roles centered on storytelling and information sharing.

See How NMSU Global Campus Supports Communication Studies Majors

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies offered through NMSU Global Campus provides an online learning experience built for working adults who want to strengthen their communication, leadership, and strategic messaging skills. This 100% online degree program is designed to help learners apply communication theory to real-world settings. Our graduates are well-prepared for roles in business, nonprofit organizations, education, public service, and media.

NMSU Global Campus offers flexible course formats that allow students to balance academic work with full-time employment, caregiving responsibilities, or other commitments. Learners can complete coursework on their own schedule while still engaging with professors and classmates in meaningful ways.

Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies program enjoy these benefits:

• Coursework is delivered 100% online. This popular learning format allows busy adult learners to complete assignments flexibly — on your own schedule.
• Expert faculty bring expertise in communication theory and applied communication practices, helping students connect classroom learning to real-world contexts.
• The curriculum strengthens interpersonal, organizational, and digital communication skills that are essential across many industries.
• Your own personal Graduation Team provides individualized advising and academic support from enrollment to graduation.
• Transfer-friendly pathways help returning students apply previously earned credits and complete their degree more efficiently.
• Courses are aligned with practical communication needs, including strategic messaging, conflict resolution, and audience-focused communication.

These features make the program an excellent option for learners who want to advance their careers through stronger communication abilities, pursue leadership opportunities, or prepare for graduate study. To see how this degree can support your personal and professional goals, explore the BA in Communication Studies at NMSU Global Campus.

In addition to our undergraduate degree, NMSU Global Campus offers an MA in Communication Studies program for learners seeking advanced study and organizational leadership preparation.

References

1. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Field of degree: Communications.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 28 August 2025. 

2. “The Most In-Demand Skills for 2024.” LinkedIn data stories, 8 February 2024.

3. “Occupational Employment and Wages, Public Relations Specialists.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 28 August 2025. 

4. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Media and Communication Occupations.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 28 August 2025.

5. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 28 August 2025.