College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Most Popular Colleges for Public Relations in the Plains States Region

27 Ranked Colleges
287 Degrees Awarded
$25,800 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 5,216 people earned their degree in public relations, making the major the 138th most popular in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 287 public relations graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 27 colleges that offered a degree in public relations. To top this list, a school must have a successful public relations program that graduates more students in the field than other colleges that offer the same major.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More PR Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region”.

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #1 for the Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 69 ’s PR degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 more about Public Relations at Iowa State

2
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Out of the 27 schools in the Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Drake University landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and it awarded 46 ’s PR degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Public Relations at Drake

3

Out of the 27 schools in the Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s PR degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full University of Northern Iowa Public Relations Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri State University - Springfield. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region list. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 31 ’s PR degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.

Read full report on Public Relations at Missouri State University - Springfield

5
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Central Missouri. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region list. University of Central Missouri is a public institution located in Warrensburg, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full University of Central Missouri Public Relations Report

6
Loras crest
Loras College
Dubuque, Iowa

Loras College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #6. Loras College is located in Dubuque, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s PR degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations at Loras College

7
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #7. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s PR degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Webster University Public Relations Report

8
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

With a ranking of #8, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region list. South Dakota State is located in Brookings, South Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s PR degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full South Dakota State Public Relations Report

9

University of Northwestern - St Paul came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Northwestern - St Paul is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 6 ’s PR degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 University of Northwestern - St Paul Public Relations Report

10
BSC crest
Bismarck State College
Bismarck, North Dakota

Bismarck State College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, this small public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s PR students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Public Relations at Bismarck State College

11

Culver - Stockton College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #11. Culver - Stockton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Canton, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Public Relations at Culver - Stockton

12

Southwest Baptist University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Bolivar, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s PR students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Public Relations at Southwest Baptist University

12
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University ranked #12 on this year’s Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region list. Lindenwood University is located in Saint Charles, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s PR degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.

Full Lindenwood University Public Relations Report

12
MBU crest
Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Missouri Baptist University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking. MBU is a small school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 3 ’s PR degrees in 2020-2021.

Full MBU Public Relations Report

12
Avila crest
Avila University
Kansas City, Missouri

Avila University ranked #12 on this year’s Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region list. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s PR degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

Full Avila Public Relations Report

16

With a ranking of #16, Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region list. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Public Relations at Western Iowa Tech Community College

16

Saint Ambrose University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #16. Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Davenport, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 St. Ambrose University

18
Dordt crest
Dordt University
Sioux Center, Iowa

With a ranking of #18, Dordt University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region list. Sioux Center, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s PR degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Dordt University Public Relations Report

18

William Penn University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified ’s PR students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Public Relations at William Penn University

20
UMary crest
University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

University of Mary landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 0 degrees to qualified ’s PR students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations at UMary

20

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #20. Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Public Relations at Northwest Missouri State University

20
Missouri Valley College crest
Missouri Valley College
Marshall, Missouri

Missouri Valley College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Marshall, Missouri, and it awarded 0 ’s PR degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Public Relations at Missouri Valley College

20
Drury University crest
Drury University
Springfield, Missouri

Drury University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #20. Drury University is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 0 ’s PR degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Public Relations at Drury University

20
Mount Mercy crest
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mount Mercy University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #20. Mount Mercy is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 0 ’s PR degrees to qualified students.

Full Mount Mercy Public Relations Report

20

Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 0 ’s PR degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations at MSU Moorhead

20
BVU crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa

Buena Vista University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Storm Lake, Iowa, and it awarded 0 ’s PR degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Buena Vista University Public Relations Report

20

Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended PR Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 0 ’s PR degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies Public Relations Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options