Public Relations and Image Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Public Relations and Image Management is a dynamic field dedicated to shaping and maintaining the public perception of organizations, businesses, and individuals through strategic communication. This program equips learners with the analytical and creative skills necessary to navigate complex media landscapes, build trust with diverse audiences, and influence public opinion effectively.
- Public Relations Theory: Explores foundational models and frameworks that explain how messages are crafted, disseminated, and received within societal and organizational contexts.
- Media Relations: Focuses on developing and sustaining relationships with journalists, news outlets, and digital platforms to ensure accurate and favorable coverage.
- Image and Message Design: Teaches the principles of visual and verbal communication to create cohesive, compelling, and authentic brand identities.
- Special Event Management: Covers planning, execution, and evaluation of public events designed to enhance visibility, engagement, and stakeholder goodwill.
- Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Addresses strategies for building long-term relationships with local communities, interest groups, and key influencers.
- Internal Communications: Emphasizes effective messaging within organizations to foster alignment, morale, and organizational culture.
- Public Affairs and Government Relations: Prepares professionals to engage with policymakers, regulatory bodies, and public institutions on behalf of an organization.
- Integration with Advertising and Marketing: Examines how public relations aligns with broader promotional strategies to deliver consistent and impactful outreach.
- Journalism Principles: Provides insight into media operations, ethical reporting standards, and the role of storytelling in shaping public narratives.
Public Relations and Image Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Public Relations and Image Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Public Relations and Image Management degrees, including Public Relations Managers, Advertising and Promotions Managers and Fundraising Managers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 549,860 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers 11-2032 | $138,520 | $78,880 - $239,200 | 76,060 | $66.60 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers 11-2011 | $126,960 | $63,000 - $239,200 | 21,100 | $61.04 |
| Fundraising Managers 11-2033 | $123,480 | $73,700 - $216,660 | 36,920 | $59.36 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1122 | $77,800 | $47,100 - $160,210 | 29,260 | N/A |
| Public Relations Specialists 27-3031 | $69,780 | $40,750 - $129,480 | 280,590 | $33.55 |
| Fundraisers 13-1131 | $66,490 | $43,200 - $106,960 | 105,930 | $31.97 |
Public Relations and Image Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $63,860 in South Dakota to $130,795 in New York—a 105% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, California, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 549,860 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Public Relations and Image Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Public Relations and Image Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Public Relations and Image Management is found at The University of Alabama (UA) (212 graduates), University of Florida (UF) (173 graduates), Boston University (BU) (170 graduates), University of Georgia (UGA) (158 graduates), and University of Oregon (UO) (149 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,945 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
|
212 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Residency
|
173 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
170 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
158 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
|
149 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
|
140 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
138 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
134 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
126 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
110 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
|
102 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Master's
|
94 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
89 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
87 | Adelphi, Maryland | Public | umgc.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
86 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
79 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
77 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
73 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
|
71 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
65 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
|
60 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
59 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| Quinnipiac University (QU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
58 | Hamden, Connecticut | Private | qu.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
57 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| California State University (CSUDH) |
Bachelor's
|
56 | Carson, California | Public | csudh.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
56 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
51 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of Florida (UF Online) |
Bachelor's
|
48 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufonline.ufl.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
47 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
43 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Bachelor's
|
40 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Oswego, New York | Public | oswego.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR) |
Bachelor's
|
33 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | uprrp.edu |
| Full Sail University |
Master's
|
29 | Winter Park, Florida | Private | fullsail.edu |
| Drake University |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Des Moines, Iowa | Private | drake.edu |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | famu.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
27 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Georgia Southern University |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | georgiasouthern.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| University of Memphis (UofM) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Cleveland State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | csuohio.edu |
| Marquette University |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
23 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
21 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| Taylor University |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Upland, Indiana | Private | taylor.edu |
| Gonzaga University |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Spokane, Washington | Private | gonzaga.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Other Award
|
18 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| University of Akron |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Murray State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Murray, Kentucky | Public | murraystate.edu |
| Suffolk University |
Master's
|
16 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | suffolk.edu |
| University of Central Missouri (UCM) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Warrensburg, Missouri | Public | ucmo.edu |
| Winthrop University |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Rock Hill, South Carolina | Public | winthrop.edu |
| Northern Kentucky University (NKU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Highland Heights, Kentucky | Public | nku.edu |
| Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Henderson, Tennessee | Private | fhu.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
13 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
12 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Broward College (BC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Public | broward.edu |
| Eastern Illinois University (EIU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Charleston, Illinois | Public | eiu.edu |
| Hood College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Frederick, Maryland | Private | hood.edu |
| Seton Hall University (SHU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | South Orange, New Jersey | Private | shu.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| Xavier University (XU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | xavier.edu |
| Oral Roberts University (ORU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | oru.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Otterbein University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Westerville, Ohio | Private | otterbein.edu |
| Lee University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| Canadian Valley Technology Center (CV Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11 | El Reno, Oklahoma | Public | cvtech.edu |
| Kean University |
Master's
|
10 | Union, New Jersey | Public | kean.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Plattsburgh, New York | Public | plattsburgh.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Valencia College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| Mercy University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Dobbs Ferry, New York | Private | mercy.edu |
| Franklin University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | franklin.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| Northern Michigan University (NMU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Marquette, Michigan | Public | nmu.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
| Southern Adventist University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Collegedale, Tennessee | Private | southern.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Monmouth College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Monmouth, Illinois | Private | monmouthcollege.edu |
| Morgan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | morgan.edu |
| Iona University |
Master's
|
7 | New Rochelle, New York | Private | iona.edu |
| Biola University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Itta Bena, Mississippi | Public | mvsu.edu |
| Montana State University Billings (MSU Billings) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Billings, Montana | Public | msubillings.edu |
| Rider University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
6 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| Harding University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Searcy, Arkansas | Private | harding.edu |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | West Palm Beach, Florida | Private | pba.edu |
| University of Northwestern (UNW) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | unwsp.edu |
| Mississippi College (MC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
5 | Clinton, Mississippi | Private | mc.edu |
| Rockhurst University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Kansas City, Missouri | Private | rockhurst.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Public Relations and Image Management programs
How much can I earn with a Public Relations and Image Management degree?
Salaries for Public Relations and Image Management graduates vary by role and location. Public Relations Managers earn a median of $138,520 annually, while Advertising and Promotions Managers earn around $126,960. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $130,795 compared to $63,860 in South Dakota. Approximately 549,860 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Public Relations and Image Management programs?
Currently 152 accredited institutions offer Public Relations and Image Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The University of Alabama (UA) (212 graduates), University of Florida (UF) (173 graduates), and Boston University (BU) (170 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Public Relations and Image Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 5,041 in 2010 to a peak of 5,348 in 2020, before declining slightly to 4,061 in 2023-24. This represents a 19% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Public Relations and Image Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Public Relations Managers, Advertising and Promotions Managers, and Fundraising Managers. Related occupations employ approximately 549,860 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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