by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you interested in a fast-paced career that allows you to do something different every day? Do you enjoy being creative and multi-tasking? A career in Public Relations or Advertising might be for you.
Public Relations specialists work to create a positive image for their clients. These clients include celebrities, brands, and organizations, among many more. In order to shape this reputation, specialists must be strong, creative writers and have the interpersonal skills to develop relationships with the media and those who will share information and spread the name of the client. Students will take classes in image management, media campaigns, newswriting, broadcast media, videography, and speech writing along with businesses classes to acquire these necessary skills.
Schools offer the option to major in either general Public Relations or Advertising or you may decide to specialize in a certain area. Some areas of specialization include Organizational Communication, Public Relations/Image Management, Political Communication, Health Communication, Sports Communication, International and Intercultural Communication, and Technical and Scientific Communication.
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.
Public Relations & Advertising was the 52nd most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 21,275 degrees in this year alone. This year's Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking compares 209 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of public relations programs later in this article.
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.
In this major, as with any major in the Communications field, there is a heavy emphasis on clear writing skills. Specialists spend much of their day writing press releases, emails to clients or media members, speeches, annual reports, or pitches making writing extremely important. This career also caters to a student who is a people person and is able to handle multiple projects at once. Strong organizational and critical thinking skills will make you successful in this field.
Public Relations specialists work full time and often have long days that cause the workweek to extend over 40 hours. Depending on the project they are working on, specialists may work in the evenings and on weekends.
Public Relations and advertising employers often require experience before hiring. Graduates must pay their dues before moving into management positions. This is often done through internships. Interning while working towards your degree will allow you to gain valuable experience within the field making you a more desirable candidate.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most public relations degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific public relations careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different public relations degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in public relations & advertising to something that takes less time like a . The time it takes to complete a public relations degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to public relations, with approximately 56.2% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to public relations tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 57.5% |
| Master’s Degree | 12.2% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 10.9% |
| Some College Courses | 8.1% |
| High School Diploma | 5.4% |
About 73.9% of workers in careers related to public relations obtain at least bachelor's degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in public relations & advertising careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the public relations career you are seeking.
A degree in Public Relations and Advertising opens up many career possibilities. Since you will take classes that improve your writing, communication, and organizational skills, you will be considered an asset to many companies. Graduates may find jobs with agencies or working for a company as their in house publicist.
Want a job when you graduate with your public relations degree? Public Relations & Advertising careers are expected to grow 5.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to public relations & advertising.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialists | 282,600 | 8.9% |
| Editors | 125,600 | -1.4% |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | 81,100 | 10.3% |
| Community Health Workers | 67,800 | 17.9% |
| Technical Writers | 58,100 | 10.9% |
Public Relations & Advertising graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $43,018 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $13,085 to as high as $91,362. As you might expect, salaries for public relations graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for public relations & advertising graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers public relations grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $133,090 |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | $131,570 |
| Broadcast News Analysts | $91,990 |
| Artist, Athlete, and Performer Agents and Business Managers | $90,930 |
| Communications Professors | $78,090 |
With over 1,364 different public relations degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased public relations school rankings to help you with this.
Public Relations & Advertising is one of 5 different types of Communication & Journalism programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Relations | 5,039 |
| Advertising | 4,655 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication | 4,517 |
| General Organizational Communication | 1,905 |
| Communication Management and Strategic Communications | 1,802 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Communication & Media Studies | 62,855 |
| Radio, Television & Digital Communication | 18,286 |
| Journalism | 12,911 |
| Communication & Journalism (Other) | 1,349 |
| Publishing | 318 |
Image Credit: By Bill Koplitz under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
