Best institutions to study Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Any instructional program in organizational communication, public relations, and advertising not listed above.
42 U.S. institutions graduated 1,142 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 09.0999, a specialization of Public Relations (CIP 09.09).
About Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs
Any instructional program in organizational communication, public relations, and advertising not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Public Relations program focuses on the principles and practices of organizational communication, public relations, and advertising. This program is designed for students interested in developing effective communication strategies to enhance the image and reputation of organizations across various sectors. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, students are prepared for a dynamic career in the communication field.
Learn more about Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication →
Students in the Public Relations program will gain essential skills in communication strategy, media relations, and campaign management. Coursework typically covers topics such as public speaking, writing for various media, and understanding audience engagement, equipping graduates with the tools needed to succeed in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree884 graduates / yr · 30 institutions77%
- Master's degree228 graduates / yr · 9 institutions20%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year14 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate13 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,181 |
| 2013 | 1,214 |
| 2014 | 1,223 |
| 2015 | 1,345 |
| 2016 | 1,337 |
| 2017 | 1,844 |
| 2018 | 1,824 |
| 2019 | 1,805 |
| 2020 | 1,769 |
| 2021 | 1,512 |
| 2022 | 1,393 |
| 2023 | 1,434 |
| 2024 | 1,273 |
| 2025 | 1,142 |
Top 42 institutions for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 281 | 86% | — | $50,587 |
| 2 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro, ARPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 126 | 55% | — | $40,812 |
| 3 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 98 | 68% | $28,141 | $41,234 |
| 4 | Pepperdine University Malibu, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 77 | 83% | $41,986 | $45,988 |
| 5 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 71 | 73% | $33,454 | $43,308 |
| 6 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor's | 70 | 68% | — | $34,752 |
| 7 | Butler University Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 63 | 80% | $35,696 | $39,701 |
| 8 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicMaster's | 52 | 71% | — | — |
| 9 | The University of Tampa Tampa, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 32 | 64% | $33,070 | $36,977 |
| 10 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 77% | $32,060 | $39,651 |
| 11 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 20 | 76% | $36,137 | $43,591 |
| 12 | Bellevue University Bellevue, NEPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 19 | 33% | $29,230 | — |
| 13 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 17 | 58% | — | $37,718 |
| 14 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 66% | $27,359 | $38,210 |
| 15 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor's | 16 | 75% | — | $41,165 |
| 16 | Dalton State College Dalton, GAPublicBachelor's | 15 | 25% | — | $29,594 |
| 17 | Abilene Christian University Abilene, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 59% | $26,342 | — |
| 18 | Fairfield University Fairfield, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 84% | $36,845 | — |
| 19 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 20 | Robert Morris University Moon Township, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 66% | $24,175 | — |
| 21 | Ana G. Mendez University Orlando, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | — | — | — |
| 22 | Morehead State University Morehead, KYPublicBachelor's | 10 | 52% | — | $27,737 |
| 23 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor's | 9 | 65% | — | — |
| 24 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 57% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 54% | — | $39,401 |
| 26 | Virginia State University Petersburg, VAPublicMaster's | 6 | 39% | — | — |
| 27 | Union University Jackson, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 66% | $25,882 | — |
| 28 | Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 46% | $18,564 | — |
| 29 | Campbell University Buies Creek, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 61% | $23,331 | $31,953 |
| 30 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 71% | — | $45,275 |
| 31 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 3 | 86% | $33,106 | $32,879 |
| 32 | Marymount Manhattan College New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 49% | $34,258 | $41,696 |
| 33 | Muskingum University New Concord, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 56% | $19,372 | — |
| 34 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 62% | $20,686 | — |
| 35 | La Sierra University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 60% | $26,504 | — |
| 36 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, COPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 32% | — | $32,601 |
| 37 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 90% | — | $45,326 |
| 38 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 39 | Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 2 | 72% | $28,514 | — |
| 40 | Utica University Utica, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 56% | $20,237 | — |
| 41 | Black Hills State University Spearfish, SDPublicBachelor's | 2 | 43% | — | — |
| 42 | Thomas College Waterville, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 54% | $18,192 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Public Relations field (CIP 09.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 26 states
Where Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates come from. Each state links to all Public Relations programs offered there.
Other Public Relations specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Public Relations (CIP 09.09).
- AdvertisingCIP 09.09034,542 graduates / yr90 institutions
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCIP 09.09004,140 graduates / yr164 institutions
- Public Relations/CIP 09.0902
Image Management 4,001 graduates / yr144 institutions - Communication Management and Strategic CommunicationsCIP 09.09092,014 graduates / yr64 institutions
- Organizational CommunicationCIP 09.09011,805 graduates / yr79 institutions
- Sports CommunicationCIP 09.09061,470 graduates / yr88 institutions
- Health CommunicationCIP 09.0905361 graduates / yr51 institutions
- Political CommunicationCIP 09.0904partial data190 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Technical and Scientific CommunicationCIP 09.0908168 graduates / yr25 institutions
- International and Intercultural CommunicationCIP 09.0907157 graduates / yr17 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or shorter awards such as a postbaccalaureate certificate.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 42 colleges offering the Public Relations program across the United States.
What is the average number of graduates per year?+
Approximately 1,142 students graduate with a degree in Public Relations each year.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in communication strategy, media relations, and campaign management.
What is the CIP code for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication?+
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication is CIP 09.0999 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Public Relations (CIP 09.09). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in organizational communication, public relations, and advertising not listed above.
How many institutions offer Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs?+
42 U.S. institutions reported Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 26 states, awarding 1,142 credentials in the year. That is 5.7% of all Public Relations graduates.
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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