Kansas · Public Relations

Best colleges for Public Relations in Kansas

Ranked by graduates a year

University of Kansas, Kansas State University and Washburn University award the most Public Relations degrees and certificates in Kansas: 14, 12 and 4 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Kansas colleges offer Public Relations and award 40 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
9
offering CIP 09.09
States offered
48
with a program page
Degrees / yr
40
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
—
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
0
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,014
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
51%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Public Relations Specialists
$69,850
BLS OEWS May 2025

9 institutions offering Public Relations in Kansas

Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.

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
1University of Kansas
Lawrence Public
—1469%——
2Kansas State University
Manhattan Public
—1271%——
3Washburn University
Topeka Public
—453%——
4Newman University
Wichita Private not-for-profit
—353%$18,520—
5Southwestern College
Winfield Private not-for-profit
—336%$26,868—
6Butler Community College
El Dorado Public
—132%——
7Kansas Wesleyan University
Salina Private not-for-profit
—149%$23,014—
8Sterling College
Sterling Private not-for-profit
—141%$22,406—
9Wichita State University
Wichita Public
—151%——

Colleges awarding the most Public Relations degrees in Kansas

Top 9 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)
1University of Kansas
Lawrence Public
14Not reported
2Kansas State University
Manhattan Public
12Not reported
3Washburn University
Topeka Public
4Not reported
4Newman University
Wichita Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
5Southwestern College
Winfield Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
6Butler Community College
El Dorado Public
1Not reported
7Kansas Wesleyan University
Salina Private not-for-profit
1Not reported
8Sterling College
Sterling Private not-for-profit
1Not reported
9Wichita State University
Wichita Public
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 Kansas

Jobs in Kansas
2,340
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$69,850
median $64,860
Best-paying metro
$69,560
Topeka, KS

Related careers

Training and Development Specialists
$68,060 avg · 5,150 jobs
Public Relations Specialists
$69,850 avg · 2,340 jobs
Human Resources Managers
$147,500 avg · 1,290 jobs
Fundraisers
$69,870 avg · 1,100 jobs
Health Education Specialists
$65,520 avg · 520 jobs
Editors
$69,630 avg · 500 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Public Relations programs in Kansas.

Which Kansas colleges award the most Public Relations degrees?+

University of Kansas (14 graduates a year), Kansas State University (12 graduates a year) and Washburn University (4 graduates a year) award the most Public Relations degrees and certificates in Kansas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Kansas colleges offer Public Relations.

How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in Kansas?+

The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Kansas is $69,850 (median $64,860), across about 2,340 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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