Best colleges for Public Relations in Missouri
Ranked by graduate earnings
Webster University, Missouri State University - Springfield and Southeast Missouri State University are the top bachelor's Public Relations programs in Missouri by graduate earnings. Webster University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,421, College Scorecard. Missouri State University - Springfield, Park University and Southeast Missouri State University award the most Public Relations degrees in Missouri: 74, 23 and 22 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 17 Missouri colleges offer Public Relations and award 238 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 7 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 | Webster University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,421 | 22 | 64% | $25,090 | — |
| 2 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,178 | 74 | 58% | — | $23,329 |
| 3 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,127 | 22 | 58% | — | $25,000 |
| 4 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $39,401 | 19 | 54% | — | $26,000 |
| 5 | Evangel University Springfield Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $36,585 | 4 | 65% | $17,881 | — |
| 6 | Drury University Springfield Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,862 | 12 | 62% | $20,482 | $23,250 |
| 7 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,000 | 10 | 49% | $17,436 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Public Relations degrees in Missouri
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 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public | 74 | $40,178 |
| 2 | Park University Parkville Private not-for-profit | 23 | Not reported |
| 3 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau Public | 22 | $40,127 |
| 4 | Webster University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit | 22 | $42,421 |
| 5 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public | 19 | $39,401 |
| 6 | Drury University Springfield Private not-for-profit | 12 | $33,862 |
| 7 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles Private not-for-profit | 10 | $32,000 |
| 8 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 9 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public | 8 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 7 Missouri colleges offering Public Relations
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of the Ozarks | Point Lookout | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | Rolla | Public | 6 |
| Washington University in St Louis | St. Louis | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Evangel University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | Columbia | Public | 3 |
| Rockhurst University | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Southwest Baptist University | Bolivar | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031).
Top skills
What Public Relations Specialists earn in Missouri
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Public Relations programs in Missouri.
Which Missouri colleges award the most Public Relations degrees?+
Missouri State University - Springfield (74 graduates a year), Park University (23 graduates a year) and Southeast Missouri State University (22 graduates a year) award the most Public Relations degrees in Missouri, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 17 Missouri colleges offer Public Relations.
What is the best college for Public Relations in Missouri?+
By graduate earnings, Webster University leads among bachelor's Public Relations programs in Missouri, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,421, College Scorecard. Missouri State University - Springfield and Southeast Missouri State University follow. By degrees awarded, Missouri State University - Springfield is the largest, with 74 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Public Relations program in Missouri has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Webster University tops the list at $42,421. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in Missouri?+
The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Missouri is $67,840 (median $61,130), across about 4,820 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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