Best colleges for Public Relations in Wisconsin
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Marquette University and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh award the most Public Relations degrees and certificates in Wisconsin: 135, 76 and 50 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Wisconsin colleges offer Public Relations and award 356 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 2 institutions, 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 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,039 | 50 | 46% | — | $24,000 |
| 2 | Marquette University Milwaukee Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,583 | 76 | 83% | $25,376 | $25,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Public Relations degrees in Wisconsin
Top 10 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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Public | 135 | Not reported |
| 2 | Marquette University Milwaukee Private not-for-profit | 76 | $40,583 |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh Public | 50 | $46,039 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls Public | 37 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 7 | Carthage College Kenosha Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 8 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 9 | Gateway Technical College Kenosha Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 10 | Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Wisconsin colleges offering Public Relations
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marian University | Fond Du Lac | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside | Kenosha | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031).
Top skills
What Public Relations Specialists earn in Wisconsin
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Public Relations programs in Wisconsin.
Which Wisconsin colleges award the most Public Relations degrees?+
University of Wisconsin-Madison (135 graduates a year), Marquette University (76 graduates a year) and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (50 graduates a year) award the most Public Relations degrees and certificates in Wisconsin, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Wisconsin colleges offer Public Relations.
Which Public Relations program in Wisconsin has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh tops the list at $46,039. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in Wisconsin?+
The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Wisconsin is $73,830 (median $67,240), across about 4,410 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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