Public Relations graduates earn $63,560 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 8.7%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Agents & Business Managers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Public Relations is a focused area of study within Communication. Graduates typically earn around $63,560 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 608 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 20,666 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$39,973
Median Earnings · 4yr
$63,560
Colleges Offering
608
Graduates / Year
20,666
Avg Net Price / yr
$21,750
How Much Do Public Relations Graduates Earn?
Public Relations graduates earn $63,560 four years out, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,857 and $83,689. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $39,973 climbs to $63,560 by year four.
$39,973
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$63,560
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$62,087
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a wide earnings spread across Public Relations graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.
$45,85725th pct.
$63,560Median
$83,68975th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $63,560 and an estimated $87,000 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.6 years.
Based on outcomes from 471 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 20,666 students who complete Public Relations programs each year, the majority (79%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
79%
Bachelor's79%
Master's16%
Associate's2%
What Can You Do With a Public Relations Degree?
Public Relations connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Human Resources Manager leads at $149,280/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Active ListeningManagement of Personnel ResourcesSpeakingReading ComprehensionCoordination
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.
Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems.
Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations.
Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.
Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.
Plan and prepare advertising and promotional material to increase sales of products or services, working with customers, company officials, sales departments, and advertising agencies.
Inspect layouts and advertising copy, and edit scripts, audio, video, and other promotional material for adherence to specifications.
Confer with department heads or staff to discuss topics such as contracts, selection of advertising media, or product to be advertised.
Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.
Analyze training needs to develop new training programs or modify and improve existing programs.
Evaluate instructor performance and the effectiveness of training programs, providing recommendations for improvement.
Plan, develop, and provide training and staff development programs, using knowledge of the effectiveness of methods such as classroom training, demonstrations, on-the-job training, meetings, conferences, and workshops.
Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.
Collect fees, commissions, or other payments, according to contract terms.
Send samples of clients' work and other promotional material to potential employers to obtain auditions, sponsorships, or endorsement deals.
Doctoral or professional degree2,700 openings/yr29K employed nationally
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionInstructingSpeakingWriting
Day-to-day responsibilities
Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Top Colleges for Public Relations
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Public Relations students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Public Relations program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Public Relations shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $63,560 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $39,973 at graduation to $63,560 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +8.7% over the next decade, with Agents & Business Managers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 43,400 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Public Relations Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Public Relations graduates earn?
Public Relations graduates earn a national median of $63,560 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,857 and $83,689. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Public Relations degree?
One year after graduation, Public Relations degree holders earn a median of $39,973. That climbs to $63,560 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Public Relations degree?
Public Relations degree holders pursue careers including Human Resources Manager, which pays a median of $149,280/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Public Relations program take?
A Public Relations bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Public Relations?
608 colleges and universities in the United States offer Public Relations programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Public Relations degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $63,560 and an average net price of roughly $21,750/yr, a Public Relations degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Public Relations and Communication?
Public Relations is a focused concentration within the broader Communication field. The Communication major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Public Relations-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Public Relations graduates?
Employers hiring Public Relations graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
Is graduate school worth it for Public Relations graduates?
With a median salary of $63,560, graduate study in Public Relations can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Public Relations graduates?
The job outlook for Public Relations graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.7% job growth over the next 10 years. Agents & Business Managers is among the strongest-growth roles at +8.7%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
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