Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Relations & Advertising
Education Levels of Public Relations Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 15,715 people earned their bachelor's degree in public relations. This makes it the 32nd most popular bachelor's degree program in the country.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in public relations at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 15,715 |
| Master’s Degree | 3,129 |
| Basic Certificate | 840 |
| Associate Degree | 469 |
| Graduate Certificate | 331 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 146 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 36 |
Earnings of Public Relations Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in public relations is $39,794. This number may vary for a lot of reasons. For instance, you may decide to move to a location where people with your degree are rare and make more money. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $35,931 and the high is $42,421.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in public relations is $44,600. The school you go to and how long it takes you to graduate, among other things, can cause this number to vary. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $58,818 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $26,359.
The median monthly payment of a public relations graduate with a 10-year repayment plan is $530.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in public relations. About 71.1% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 4,539 |
| Women | 11,176 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of public relations bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 566 |
| Black or African American | 1,147 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 2,385 |
| White | 9,953 |
| International Students | 600 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 1,064 |
Most Popular Public Relations Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 427 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in public relations. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
University of Oregon tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for public relations majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree. Roughly 21,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,240 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,659 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 575 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from UO. About 70% of this group were women, and 31% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in public relations at University of Oregon make a median salary of 39,794.
Michigan State University is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in public relations. Roughly 49,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,930 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $20,808 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 565 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from Michigan State. Of these students, 50% were women and 25% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in public relations at Michigan State University make a median salary of 39,794.
The 3rd most popular school in the country for public relations majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is The University of Texas at Austin. Roughly 50,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,678 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,012 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 561 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from UT Austin. Of these students, 75% were women and 46% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. The University of Texas at Austin public relations graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $39,794.
Southern New Hampshire University comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in public relations. Each year, around 134,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,467 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 534 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from SNHU. Of these students, 70% were women and 29% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Southern New Hampshire University public relations graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $39,794.
The 5th most popular school in the country for public relations majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Florida. Roughly 53,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,477 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,770 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 391 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from UF. About 84% of this group were women, and 41% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Florida public relations graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $39,794.
University of Colorado Boulder is the 6th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in public relations. Each year, around 37,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,910 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,849 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 385 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from CU - Boulder. About 72% of this group were women, and 19% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Colorado Boulder public relations graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $39,794.
Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in public relations. Each year, around 0 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $19,672 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $24,956 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 351 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from Penn State University Park. About 82% of this group were women, and 15% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in public relations at Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus make a median salary of 39,794.
Texas State University is the 8th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in public relations. Roughly 37,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,606 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,147 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 334 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from Texas State. Of these students, 74% were women and 48% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in public relations at Texas State University make a median salary of 39,794.
The 9th most popular school in the country for public relations majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is The University of Alabama. Roughly 37,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,100 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,100 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 317 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from UA. About 80% of this group were women, and 16% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in public relations at The University of Alabama make a median salary of 39,794.
University of Georgia is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in public relations. Roughly 39,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,790 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,878 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 310 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from UGA. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 85% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in public relations at University of Georgia make a median salary of 39,794.
Temple University is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in public relations. Roughly 37,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $21,023 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $21,042 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 306 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from Temple. Around 36% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 74% were women. Temple University public relations graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $39,794.
The 12th most popular school in the country for public relations majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Washington State University. Roughly 31,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,976 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,675 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 300 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from Wazzu. Of these students, 68% were women and 31% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Wazzu graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,794.
The 13th most popular school in the country for public relations majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Texas Tech University. Roughly 40,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,935 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,956 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 299 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from Texas Tech. Around 34% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 68% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in public relations at Texas Tech University make a median salary of 39,794.
The 14th most popular school in the country for public relations majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Fashion Institute of Technology. Each year, around 8,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,170 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,542 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 280 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from FIT SUNY. Of these students, 85% were women and 49% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that FIT SUNY graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,794.
University of South Carolina - Columbia is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in public relations. Roughly 35,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,288 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,374 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 277 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from UofSC. Of these students, 69% were women and 20% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UofSC graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,794.
Florida International University is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in public relations. Each year, around 58,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,721 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,119 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 276 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from FIU. About 77% of this group were women, and 82% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in public relations at Florida International University make a median salary of 39,794.
The 17th most popular school in the country for public relations majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Each year, around 25,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,010 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,318 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 240 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from UNL. About 54% of this group were women, and 16% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UNL graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,794.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in public relations. Roughly 52,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,768 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,545 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 222 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from UIUC. About 68% of this group were women, and 36% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign public relations graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $39,794.
Kennesaw State University comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in public relations. Each year, around 41,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $5,328 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 218 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from KSU Georgia. About 73% of this group were women, and 34% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in public relations at Kennesaw State University make a median salary of 39,794.
The 20th most popular school in the country for public relations majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Grand Valley State University. Roughly 23,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,978 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,364 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 208 people received their bachelor's degree in public relations from GVSU. Of these students, 69% were women and 21% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Grand Valley State University public relations graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $39,794.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to public relations that offer bachelor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Communication & Media Studies | 44,674 |
| Radio, TV & Digital Communication | 10,971 |
| Journalism | 10,026 |
| Other Communication & Journalism | 644 |
| Publishing | 104 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By Bill Koplitz under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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