by our College Data Analytics TeamWe've pulled together some essential information you should know about the program, including how many students graduate each year, the ethnic diversity of these students, average starting salaries, and more. Also, learn how WMU ranks among other schools offering degrees in public relations.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MA in Communication - Public Relations
Learn how to use the latest technology and tactics to manage the flow of information between brands and the public with your Master's in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations at Southern New Hampshire University.
BA in Communication - Public Relations
Prepare to develop your skills in building mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their public audiences.
MA in Communication - New Media & Marketing
Keep your skills and knowledge at the forefront of new media technologies with this specialized online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.
The bachelor's program at WMU was ranked #49 on College Factual's Best Schools for public relations list. It is also ranked #2 in Michigan.
| Ranking Type | Rank |
|---|---|
| Best Public Relations & Advertising Bachelor’s Degree Schools | 46 |
| Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools | 49 |
During the 2021-2022 academic year, Western Michigan University handed out 66 bachelor's degrees in public relations & advertising. This is a decrease of 11% over the previous year when 74 degrees were handed out.
The median salary of public relations students who receive their bachelor's degree at WMU is $37,718. Unfortunately, this is lower than the national average of $39,794 for all public relations students.
While getting their bachelor's degree at WMU, public relations students borrow a median amount of $33,495 in student loans. This is not too bad considering that the median debt load of all public relations bachelor's degree recipients across the country is $44,600.
The typical student loan payment of a bachelor's degree student from the public relations program at WMU is $289 per month.
In 2022-2023, the average part-time undergraduate tuition at WMU was $792 per credit hour for out-of-state students. The average for in-state students was $633 per credit hour. Information about average full-time undergraduate tuition and fees is shown in the table below.
| In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $15,198 | $18,998 |
| Fees | $100 | $100 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,128 | $1,128 |
| On Campus Room and Board | $11,713 | $11,713 |
| On Campus Other Expenses | $2,631 | $2,631 |
Learn more about WMU tuition and fees.
Of the 66 public relations students who graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2021-2022 from WMU, about 21% were men and 79% were women.
The majority of the students with this major are white. About 71% of 2022 graduates were in this category.
The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor's in public relations.
| Ethnic Background | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Asian | 1 |
| Black or African American | 6 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 6 |
| White | 47 |
| Non-Resident Aliens | 1 |
| Other Races | 5 |
WMU does not offer an online option for its public relations bachelor’s degree program at this time. To see if the school offers distance learning options in other areas, visit the WMU Online Learning page.
Take a look at the following statistics related to the make-up of the public relations majors at Western Michigan University.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Communication & Media Studies | 48 |
| Radio, Television & Digital Communication | 12 |
| Journalism | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
