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2023 Schools Highly Focused on PR Major

174 Ranked Colleges
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Schools Highly Focused on PR Major

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on PR Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2021-2022, 5,039 people earned their degree in public relations, making the major the 138th most popular in the United States.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on PR Major” ranking, we looked at 174 colleges that offer a degree in public relations. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their public relations program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on PR Major” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Schools Highly Focused on PR Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for pr students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Public Relations

1
UF Online crest
University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida-Online. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on PR Major list. UF Online is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 48 ’s pr degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations at University of Florida-Online

2
Franklin College of Indiana crest
Franklin College
Franklin, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Franklin College. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on PR Major. Franklin College is a small school located in Franklin, Indiana that handed out 7 ’s pr degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Franklin College Public Relations Report

3
FHU crest
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Freed-Hardeman University. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on PR Major. This small school is located in Henderson, Tennessee, and it awarded 7 ’s pr degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations at FHU

4
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

Out of the 174 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on PR Major that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Oregon landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Eugene, Oregon, and it awarded 188 ’s pr degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations at UO

5

Out of the 174 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on PR Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Mississippi Valley State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Mississippi Valley State University is located in Itta Bena, Mississippi and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 17 ’s pr degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Public Relations at Mississippi Valley State University

6
SUNY Fredonia crest
SUNY Fredonia
Fredonia, New York

SUNY Fredonia landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on PR Major ranking. Located in Fredonia, New York, this small public school awarded 26 degrees to qualified ’s pr students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations at SUNY Fredonia

7
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on PR Major ranking. Drake is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 36 ’s pr degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Drake Public Relations Report

8
Loras crest
Loras College
Dubuque, Iowa

Loras College ranked #8 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on PR Major list. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified ’s pr students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations at Loras

9
Otterbein crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio

With a ranking of #9, Otterbein University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on PR Major list. Otterbein is a private not-for-profit institution located in Westerville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Otterbein University Public Relations Report

10

Miami University - Oxford landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on PR Major ranking. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 0 ’s pr degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations at Miami University - Oxford

11
Taylor U crest
Taylor University
Upland, Indiana

Taylor University ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on PR Major list. This small school is located in Upland, Indiana, and it awarded 10 ’s pr degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Relations at Taylor U

12
The American University crest
American University
Washington, District of Columbia

American University ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on PR Major list. This fairly large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 132 ’s pr degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full The American University Public Relations Report

13
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas

With a ranking of #13, Texas State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on PR Major list. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s pr degrees to 227 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Texas State Public Relations Report

14
Capital crest
Capital University
Columbus, Ohio

Capital University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on PR Major ranking. Capital University is a small school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 7 ’s pr degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Public Relations at Capital University

15

California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on PR Major ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 115 ’s pr degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Dominguez Hills Public Relations Report

16
URI crest
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, Rhode Island

University of Rhode Island landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on PR Major ranking. Kingston, Rhode Island is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s pr degrees to 74 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations at University of Rhode Island

17
Hofstra crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, New York

Hofstra University ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on PR Major list. Hofstra is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Hempstead, New York. It awarded 42 ’s pr degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations at Hofstra University

18

With a ranking of #18, University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on PR Major list. UPR Rio Piedras is a fairly large public school situated in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It awarded 34 ’s pr degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations at UPR Rio Piedras

19
UA crest
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The University of Alabama landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on PR Major ranking. UA is a public institution located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The school has a large population, and it awarded 211 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Public Relations at UA

20
SUNY Oswego crest
SUNY Oswego
Oswego, New York

SUNY Oswego came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on PR Major ranking. SUNY Oswego is a medium-sized school located in Oswego, New York that handed out 51 ’s pr degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SUNY Oswego Public Relations Report

21
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on PR Major ranking, coming in at #21. Syracuse, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pr degrees to 102 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read more about Public Relations at Syracuse

22
Westminster New Wilmington crest
Westminster College Pennsylvania
New Wilmington, Pennsylvania

Westminster College Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on PR Major ranking, coming in at #22. Located in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s pr students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Relations at Westminster College Pennsylvania

23
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on PR Major ranking, coming in at #23. Lee University is a small school located in Cleveland, Tennessee that handed out 22 ’s pr degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations at Lee University

24
Monmouth crest
Monmouth College
Monmouth, Illinois

Monmouth College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on PR Major ranking. Monmouth, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pr degrees to 8 students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations at Monmouth College

25
Palm Beach Atlantic crest
Palm Beach Atlantic University
West Palm Beach, Florida

Palm Beach Atlantic University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on PR Major ranking. West Palm Beach, Florida is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s pr degrees to 4 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Palm Beach Atlantic University Public Relations Report

Rest of the Best 27 in Schools Highly Focused on PR Major

Not only did these schools make the top 27 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
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Notes and References

References

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Footnotes

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