Iowa · Public Relations

Best Public Relations institutions in Iowa, ranked by earnings

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
14
offering CIP 09.09
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
174
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$42,530
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
5
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,328
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
58%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Public Relations Specialists
$64,180
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 5 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Drake University
Des Moines Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$44,4922974%$28,855$23,250
2University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,7552368%$21,096
3Iowa State University
Ames Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,5309175%$24,750
4Simpson College
Indianola Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$41,925963%$20,710
5Loras College
Dubuque Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$40,938268%$19,227$26,581

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 Iowa

Jobs in Iowa
2,980
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$64,180
median $59,490
Best-paying metro
$72,230
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Related careers

Training and Development Specialists
$69,300 avg · 4,190 jobs
Public Relations Specialists
$64,180 avg · 2,980 jobs
Human Resources Managers
$132,140 avg · 1,660 jobs
Fundraisers
$67,310 avg · 1,130 jobs
Technical Writers
$67,390 avg · 680 jobs
Editors
$64,490 avg · 640 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Public Relations programs in Iowa.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Drake University tops the list at $44,492. Compare it against completions, 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 $64,180 (median $59,490), across about 2,980 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

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).

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