Best colleges for Public Relations
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Public Relations by graduate earnings are Syracuse University ($54,934), Southern Methodist University ($51,828) and Brigham Young University ($51,436), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY): $54,934, 243 graduates a year
- Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX): $51,828, 135 graduates a year
- Brigham Young University (Provo, UT): $51,436, 166 graduates a year
- Miami University - Oxford (Oxford, OH): $50,700, 150 graduates a year
- Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA): $50,587, 282 graduates a year
Compare 496 U.S. colleges offering Public Relations by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 48 states.
Public Relations programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,701 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 09.09 and the Public Relations Specialists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Public Relations programs
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 communication strategies and media relations, preparing them to effectively engage with diverse audiences and stakeholders.
Students will develop essential skills in active listening, speaking, writing, and critical thinking. Coursework covers communications and media, public relations strategies, and the use of digital platforms, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic field of public relations.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,934 | 243 | 84% | $28,851 | $26,000 |
| 2 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,828 | 135 | 84% | $33,246 | $19,750 |
| 3 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,436 | 166 | 81% | $13,712 | $11,975 |
| 4 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,700 | 150 | 80% | — | $25,000 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,587 | 282 | 86% | — | $24,693 |
| 6 | National University San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,070 | 20 | 43% | $31,817 | $30,622 |
| 7 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,041 | 221 | 92% | $26,873 | $20,251 |
| 8 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,026 | 111 | 75% | $30,225 | $26,442 |
| 9 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,063 | 227 | 85% | — | $23,250 |
| 10 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,053 | 147 | 86% | $25,823 | $24,148 |
| 11 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,972 | 585 | 89% | — | $20,995 |
| 12 | Endicott College Beverly, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,903 | 21 | 76% | $34,195 | $27,000 |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,039 | 50 | 46% | — | $24,000 |
| 14 | Pepperdine University Malibu, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,988 | 125 | 83% | $41,986 | $26,000 |
| 15 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,820 | 191 | 60% | — | $20,500 |
| 16 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,759 | 75 | 75% | — | $20,718 |
| 17 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,326 | 368 | 90% | — | $21,787 |
| 18 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,275 | 158 | 71% | — | $24,625 |
| 19 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,158 | 629 | 81% | — | $23,899 |
| 20 | Suffolk University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,863 | 72 | 61% | $28,895 | $27,000 |
| 21 | Drake University Des Moines, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,492 | 36 | 74% | $28,855 | $23,250 |
| 22 | Pace University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,485 | 58 | 60% | $29,994 | $25,000 |
| 23 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,917 | 171 | 84% | $26,589 | $18,000 |
| 24 | Illinois State University Normal, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,874 | 48 | 65% | — | $22,500 |
| 25 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,755 | 29 | 68% | — | $21,096 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise State University Boise, ID Public · Certificate | $43,876 | 45 | 60% | — | $22,977 |
Specializations within Public Relations
11 of the 11 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 09.09 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- AdvertisingCIP 09.09034,542 graduates / yr90 institutions32 states
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCIP 09.09004,140 graduates / yr164 institutions42 states
- Public Relations/CIP 09.0902
Image Management 4,001 graduates / yr144 institutions39 states - Communication Management and Strategic CommunicationsCIP 09.0909New in CIP 20202,014 graduates / yr64 institutions31 states
- Organizational CommunicationCIP 09.09011,805 graduates / yr79 institutions31 states
- Sports CommunicationCIP 09.09061,470 graduates / yr88 institutions34 states
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCIP 09.09991,142 graduates / yr42 institutions26 states
- Health CommunicationCIP 09.0905361 graduates / yr51 institutions26 states
- Political CommunicationCIP 09.0904partial data190 graduates / yr9 institutions8 states
- Technical and Scientific CommunicationCIP 09.0908168 graduates / yr25 institutions18 states
- International and Intercultural CommunicationCIP 09.0907157 graduates / yr17 institutions13 states
Offered across 48 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3031, Public Relations Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Public Relations program can pursue various careers in PR, advertising, and communication. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 4.8% and approximately 27,600 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $69,780, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Public Relations
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 09.09.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 09.09 (Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication) maps to 17 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-2011 | Advertising and Promotions Managers |
| 11-2032 | Public Relations Managers |
| 11-2033 | Fundraising Managers |
| 11-3121 | Human Resources Managers |
| 11-3131 | Training and Development Managers |
| 13-1011 | Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes |
| 13-1131 | Fundraisers |
| 13-1151 | Training and Development Specialists |
| 21-1091 | Health Education Specialists |
| 21-1094 | Community Health Workers |
| 25-1122 | Communications Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-2099 | Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other |
| 27-3011 | Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys |
| 27-3023 | News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists |
| 27-3031 | Public Relations Specialistsprimary |
| 27-3041 | Editors |
| 27-3042 | Technical Writers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Public Relations programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
- Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
- Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.
- Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
- Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.
- Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.
Common questions
What is public relations?+
Public relations is the practice of managing and disseminating information to influence public perception.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn skills such as active listening, writing, speaking, and critical thinking.
What is the job outlook for public relations professionals?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.8%.
What is the typical education required for a career in public relations?+
A bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in public relations.
How much do Public Relations graduates earn?+
Public Relations graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,701, College Scorecard (2019); the Public Relations Specialists occupation pays about $84,120 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Public Relations?+
Public Relations maps to CIP 09.09 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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