Alabama · Public Relations

Best colleges for Public Relations in Alabama

Ranked by graduate earnings

The University of Alabama, Auburn University and Troy University award the most Public Relations degrees and certificates in Alabama: 402, 81 and 37 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Alabama colleges offer Public Relations and award 544 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Public Relations program, formally known as Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, focuses on managing and disseminating information to influence public perception. This program is ideal for individuals interested in…

Institutions
6
offering CIP 09.09
States offered
48
with a program page
Degrees / yr
544
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$41,458
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,870
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
61%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Public Relations Specialists
$70,760
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,44540273%—$25,000
2Auburn University
Auburn Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,4588182%—$23,250

Colleges awarding the most Public Relations degrees in Alabama

Top 6 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa Public
402$42,445
2Auburn University
Auburn Public
81$41,458
3Troy University
Troy Public
37Not reported
4University of South Alabama
Mobile Public
22Not reported
5University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham Public
1Not reported
6Oakwood University
Huntsville Private not-for-profit
1Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.8%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~27,600
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$69,780
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingWritingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive Learning

What Public Relations Specialists earn in Alabama

Jobs in Alabama
2,410
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$70,760
median $61,710
Best-paying metro
$82,570
Huntsville, AL

Related careers

Training and Development Specialists
$71,050 avg · 3,000 jobs
Public Relations Specialists
$70,760 avg · 2,410 jobs
Human Resources Managers
$125,490 avg · 2,160 jobs
Fundraisers
$61,260 avg · 1,120 jobs
Technical Writers
$92,180 avg · 630 jobs
Public Relations Managers
$112,490 avg · 540 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Public Relations programs in Alabama.

Which Alabama colleges award the most Public Relations degrees?+

The University of Alabama (402 graduates a year), Auburn University (81 graduates a year) and Troy University (37 graduates a year) award the most Public Relations degrees and certificates in Alabama, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Alabama colleges offer Public Relations.

Which Public Relations program in Alabama has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, The University of Alabama tops the list at $42,445. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in Alabama?+

The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Alabama is $70,760 (median $61,710), across about 2,410 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Public Relations program?+

The Public Relations program, formally known as Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, focuses on managing and disseminating information to influence public perception. This program is ideal for individuals interested in…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop active listening, speaking, writing, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Public Relations Specialists?+

The national job outlook is about +4.8% growth with around 27,600 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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