Best colleges for Public Relations in District of Columbia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Georgetown University, George Washington University and American University award the most Public Relations degrees and certificates in District of Columbia: 173, 129 and 111 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 District of Columbia colleges offer Public Relations and award 510 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…
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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,026 | 111 | 75% | $30,225 | $26,442 |
| 2 | Howard University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,120 | 94 | 70% | $48,194 | $26,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Public Relations degrees in District of Columbia
Top 5 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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown University Washington Private not-for-profit | 173 | Not reported |
| 2 | George Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit | 129 | Not reported |
| 3 | American University Washington Private not-for-profit | 111 | $50,026 |
| 4 | Howard University Washington Private not-for-profit | 94 | $39,120 |
| 5 | Trinity Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031).
Top skills
What Public Relations Specialists earn in District of Columbia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Public Relations programs in District of Columbia.
Which District of Columbia colleges award the most Public Relations degrees?+
Georgetown University (173 graduates a year), George Washington University (129 graduates a year) and American University (111 graduates a year) award the most Public Relations degrees and certificates in District of Columbia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 District of Columbia colleges offer Public Relations.
Which Public Relations program in District of Columbia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, American University tops the list at $50,026. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in District of Columbia?+
The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in District of Columbia is $120,200 (median $102,740), across about 16,720 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.
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