Arizona · Public Relations

Best colleges for Public Relations in Arizona

Ranked by graduate earnings

Grand Canyon University, Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University Campus Immersion are the top bachelor's Public Relations programs in Arizona by graduate earnings. Grand Canyon University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,307, College Scorecard. Arizona State University Campus Immersion, Northern Arizona University and Grand Canyon University award the most Public Relations degrees in Arizona: 160, 111 and 32 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Arizona colleges offer Public Relations and award 337 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
337
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$36,920
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,535
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
37%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Public Relations Specialists
$76,700
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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
1Grand Canyon University
Phoenix Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,3073243%$21,535$25,100
2Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,92011161%—$21,625
3Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,09316068%—$20,847

Colleges awarding the most Public Relations degrees in Arizona

Top 4 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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)
1Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe Public
160$31,093
2Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff Public
111$36,920
3Grand Canyon University
Phoenix Private not-for-profit
32$37,307
4University of Advancing Technology
Tempe Private for-profit
8Not reported
Show the other 2 Arizona colleges offering Public Relations
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Arizona State University Digital Immersion (Online)ScottsdalePublic23
Scottsdale Community CollegeScottsdalePublic3

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 Arizona

Jobs in Arizona
5,350
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$76,700
median $66,710
Best-paying metro
$79,660
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

Related careers

Public Relations Specialists
$76,700 avg · 5,350 jobs
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$150,820 avg · 3,950 jobs
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$69,500 avg · 1,580 jobs
Training and Development Managers
$138,840 avg · 1,190 jobs
Public Relations Managers
$131,310 avg · 1,170 jobs
Health Education Specialists
$73,040 avg · 1,140 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Public Relations programs in Arizona.

Which Arizona colleges award the most Public Relations degrees?+

Arizona State University Campus Immersion (160 graduates a year), Northern Arizona University (111 graduates a year) and Grand Canyon University (32 graduates a year) award the most Public Relations degrees in Arizona, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Arizona colleges offer Public Relations.

What is the best college for Public Relations in Arizona?+

By graduate earnings, Grand Canyon University leads among bachelor's Public Relations programs in Arizona, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,307, College Scorecard. Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University Campus Immersion follow. By degrees awarded, Arizona State University Campus Immersion is the largest, with 160 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Grand Canyon University tops the list at $37,307. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in Arizona?+

The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Arizona is $76,700 (median $66,710), across about 5,350 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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