Best colleges for Public Relations in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
Drake University, University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University are the top bachelor's Public Relations programs in Iowa by graduate earnings. Drake University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,492, College Scorecard. Iowa State University, Drake University and University of Northern Iowa award the most Public Relations degrees in Iowa: 82, 36 and 29 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 13 Iowa colleges offer Public Relations and award 186 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 5 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,492 | 36 | 74% | $28,855 | $23,250 |
| 2 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,755 | 29 | 68% | — | $21,096 |
| 3 | Iowa State University Ames Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,530 | 82 | 75% | — | $24,750 |
| 4 | Simpson College Indianola Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,925 | 14 | 63% | $20,710 | — |
| 5 | Loras College Dubuque Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $40,938 | 6 | 68% | $19,227 | $26,581 |
Colleges awarding the most Public Relations degrees in Iowa
Top 10 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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa State University Ames Public | 82 | $42,530 |
| 2 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 36 | $44,492 |
| 3 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public | 29 | $43,755 |
| 4 | Simpson College Indianola Private not-for-profit | 14 | $41,925 |
| 5 | Loras College Dubuque Private not-for-profit | 6 | $40,938 |
| 6 | Northwestern College Orange City Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 7 | Briar Cliff University Sioux City Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 8 | Buena Vista University Storm Lake Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 9 | Southeastern Community College West Burlington Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 10 | Upper Iowa University Fayette Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 Iowa colleges offering Public Relations
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waldorf University | Forest City | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | Sioux City | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031).
Top skills
What Public Relations Specialists earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Public Relations programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Public Relations degrees?+
Iowa State University (82 graduates a year), Drake University (36 graduates a year) and University of Northern Iowa (29 graduates a year) award the most Public Relations degrees in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 13 Iowa colleges offer Public Relations.
What is the best college for Public Relations in Iowa?+
By graduate earnings, Drake University leads among bachelor's Public Relations programs in Iowa, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,492, College Scorecard. University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University follow. By degrees awarded, Iowa State University is the largest, with 82 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Public Relations program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Drake University tops the list at $44,492. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Iowa is $68,340 (median $62,970), across about 2,890 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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