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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)

4,061
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
152
Universities & Colleges
6
Career Pathways

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

Salary Comparison

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 Admissions Location Control Website
The University of Alabama (UA)
Bachelor's
212 SAT: 1170-1400
ACT: 24-31
Tuscaloosa, Alabama Public ua.edu
University of Florida (UF)
Bachelor's
Residency
173 SAT: 1300-1480
ACT: 28-33
Gainesville, Florida Public ufl.edu
Boston University (BU)
Bachelor's
Master's
170 SAT: 1400-1520
ACT: 32-34
Boston, Massachusetts Private bu.edu
University of Georgia (UGA)
Bachelor's
158 SAT: 1160-1390
ACT: 25-32
Athens, Georgia Public uga.edu
University of Oregon (UO)
Bachelor's
149 SAT: 1130-1360
ACT: 22-30
Eugene, Oregon Public uoregon.edu
Texas State University (TXST)
Bachelor's
140 SAT: 980-1190
ACT: 19-26
San Marcos, Texas Public txst.edu
Texas Tech University (TTU)
Bachelor's
Other Award
138 SAT: 1090-1270
ACT: 22-28
Lubbock, Texas Public ttu.edu
The University of Texas
Bachelor's
134 SAT: 1230-1490
ACT: 27-33
Austin, Texas Public utexas.edu
Syracuse University
Bachelor's
Master's
126 SAT: 1260-1430
ACT: 28-32
Syracuse, New York Private syracuse.edu
Auburn University (AU)
Bachelor's
110 SAT: 1240-1380
ACT: 25-31
Auburn, Alabama Public auburn.edu
University of Rhode Island (URI)
Bachelor's
102 SAT: 1030-1270
ACT: 26-31
Kingston, Rhode Island Public web.uri.edu
Georgetown University (GU)
Master's
94 SAT: 1390-1550
ACT: 32-34
Washington, District of Columbia Private georgetown.edu
Washington State University (WSU)
Bachelor's
89 N/A Pullman, Washington Public wsu.edu
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
87 N/A Adelphi, Maryland Public umgc.edu
Brigham Young University (BYU)
Bachelor's
86 SAT: 1290-1450
ACT: 28-32
Provo, Utah Private byu.edu
University of Southern California (USC)
Bachelor's
Master's
79 SAT: 1440-1550
ACT: 32-35
Los Angeles, California Private usc.edu
University of Miami (UM)
Bachelor's
Master's
77 SAT: 1330-1470
ACT: 30-33
Coral Gables, Florida Private miami.edu
University of South Carolina (USC)
Bachelor's
73 SAT: 1180-1380
ACT: 26-32
Columbia, South Carolina Public sc.edu
The University of Tennessee
Bachelor's
71 SAT: 1190-1340
ACT: 25-31
Knoxville, Tennessee Public utk.edu
Appalachian State University (App State)
Bachelor's
65 SAT: 1100-1280
ACT: 21-27
Boone, North Carolina Public appstate.edu
California State University (CSULB)
Bachelor's
60 N/A Long Beach, California Public csulb.edu
American University (AU)
Bachelor's
59 SAT: 1300-1450
ACT: 29-33
Washington, District of Columbia Private american.edu
Quinnipiac University (QU)
Bachelor's
Master's
58 SAT: 1100-1300
ACT: 25-29
Hamden, Connecticut Private qu.edu
Rowan University
Bachelor's
Master's
57 SAT: 1100-1310
ACT: 26-30
Glassboro, New Jersey Public rowan.edu
California State University (CSUDH)
Bachelor's
56 N/A Carson, California Public csudh.edu
Temple University
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
56 N/A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Public temple.edu
University of Cincinnati (UC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
51 SAT: 1150-1360
ACT: 24-29
Cincinnati, Ohio Public uc.edu
University of Florida (UF Online)
Bachelor's
48 SAT: 1255-1390
ACT: 27-31
Gainesville, Florida Public ufonline.ufl.edu
Iowa State University (ISU)
Bachelor's
47 SAT: 1110-1350
ACT: 21-28
Ames, Iowa Public iastate.edu
Illinois State University (ISU)
Bachelor's
43 SAT: 1010-1230
ACT: 22-27
Normal, Illinois Public illinoisstate.edu
Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Bachelor's
40 SAT: 1320-1480
ACT: 30-34
Dallas, Texas Private smu.edu
Hofstra University
Bachelor's
Master's
39 SAT: 1210-1380
ACT: 27-31
Hempstead, New York Private hofstra.edu
Central Michigan University (CMU)
Bachelor's
37 SAT: 960-1210
ACT: 21-27
Mount Pleasant, Michigan Public cmich.edu
Western Kentucky University (WKU)
Bachelor's
35 SAT: 820-1010
ACT: 16-20
Bowling Green, Kentucky Public wku.edu
State University of New York
Bachelor's
34 SAT: 1060-1270
ACT: 23-27
Oswego, New York Public oswego.edu
University of Puerto Rico (UPR)
Bachelor's
33 N/A San Juan, Puerto Rico Public uprrp.edu
Full Sail University
Master's
29 N/A Winter Park, Florida Private fullsail.edu
Drake University
Bachelor's
29 SAT: 1190-1390
ACT: 24-30
Des Moines, Iowa Private drake.edu
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU)
Bachelor's
28 SAT: 1030-1150
ACT: 20-24
Tallahassee, Florida Public famu.edu
Missouri State University
Bachelor's
Other Award
27 SAT: 990-1220
ACT: 19-25
Springfield, Missouri Public missouristate.edu
Georgia Southern University
Bachelor's
25 SAT: 980-1160
ACT: 18-23
Statesboro, Georgia Public georgiasouthern.edu
Kent State University
Bachelor's
25 SAT: 1000-1230
ACT: 18-25
Kent, Ohio Public kent.edu
University of Memphis (UofM)
Bachelor's
25 SAT: 905-1205
ACT: 17-24
Memphis, Tennessee Public memphis.edu
San Jose State University (SJSU)
Bachelor's
24 N/A San Jose, California Public sjsu.edu
University of Northern Iowa (UNI)
Bachelor's
24 SAT: 860-1210
ACT: 20-26
Cedar Falls, Iowa Public uni.edu
Cleveland State University (CSU)
Bachelor's
24 ACT: 17-25 Cleveland, Ohio Public csuohio.edu
Marquette University
Bachelor's
24 SAT: 1190-1360
ACT: 26-31
Milwaukee, Wisconsin Private marquette.edu
Wayne State University (WSU)
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
23 SAT: 1040-1260
ACT: 21-28
Detroit, Michigan Public wayne.edu
Pennsylvania State University
Master's
21 SAT: 1100-1340
ACT: 18-30
University Park, Pennsylvania Public worldcampus.psu.edu
Taylor University
Bachelor's
20 SAT: 1070-1340
ACT: 23-30
Upland, Indiana Private taylor.edu
Gonzaga University
Bachelor's
19 SAT: 1220-1410
ACT: 26-31
Spokane, Washington Private gonzaga.edu
Boise State University (BBU)
Other Award
18 N/A Boise, Idaho Public boisestate.edu
University of Akron
Bachelor's
18 SAT: 950-1190
ACT: 18-25
Akron, Ohio Public uakron.edu
Murray State University (MSU)
Bachelor's
17 SAT: 950-1190
ACT: 19-26
Murray, Kentucky Public murraystate.edu
Suffolk University
Master's
16 SAT: 1090-1280
ACT: 24-32
Boston, Massachusetts Private suffolk.edu
University of Central Missouri (UCM)
Bachelor's
16 ACT: 18-24 Warrensburg, Missouri Public ucmo.edu
Winthrop University
Bachelor's
16 SAT: 1010-1220
ACT: 20-26
Rock Hill, South Carolina Public winthrop.edu
Northern Kentucky University (NKU)
Bachelor's
14 SAT: 916-1133
ACT: 19-25
Highland Heights, Kentucky Public nku.edu
Freed-Hardeman University (FHU)
Bachelor's
14 SAT: 934-1084
ACT: 19-26
Henderson, Tennessee Private fhu.edu
University of Nebraska (UNL)
Postbac Cert.
13 SAT: 1090-1330
ACT: 22-28
Lincoln, Nebraska Public unl.edu
George Washington University (GW)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
12 SAT: 1350-1500
ACT: 31-34
Washington, District of Columbia Private gwu.edu
Broward College (BC)
Associate's
Other Award
12 N/A Fort Lauderdale, Florida Public broward.edu
Eastern Illinois University (EIU)
Bachelor's
12 SAT: 890-1110 Charleston, Illinois Public eiu.edu
Hood College
Bachelor's
12 N/A Frederick, Maryland Private hood.edu
Seton Hall University (SHU)
Bachelor's
12 SAT: 1220-1400
ACT: 27-31
South Orange, New Jersey Private shu.edu
SUNY
Bachelor's
12 SAT: 1060-1290
ACT: 21-28
Fredonia, New York Public fredonia.edu
Xavier University (XU)
Bachelor's
12 SAT: 1060-1298
ACT: 22-29
Cincinnati, Ohio Private xavier.edu
Oral Roberts University (ORU)
Bachelor's
12 SAT: 1083-1250
ACT: 22-27
Tulsa, Oklahoma Private oru.edu
Central Washington University (CWU)
Bachelor's
12 N/A Ellensburg, Washington Public cwu.edu
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)
Bachelor's
11 SAT: 930-1190
ACT: 17-24
Richmond, Kentucky Public eku.edu
Bowling Green State University (BGSU)
Bachelor's
11 SAT: 1020-1230
ACT: 20-26
Bowling Green, Ohio Public bgsu.edu
Otterbein University
Bachelor's
11 ACT: 23-28 Westerville, Ohio Private otterbein.edu
Lee University
Bachelor's
11 SAT: 1020-1240
ACT: 20-26
Cleveland, Tennessee Private leeuniversity.edu
Canadian Valley Technology Center (CV Tech)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
11 N/A El Reno, Oklahoma Public cvtech.edu
Kean University
Master's
10 SAT: 1020-1198 Union, New Jersey Public kean.edu
SUNY College
Bachelor's
10 SAT: 1100-1270 Plattsburgh, New York Public plattsburgh.edu
Lipscomb University
Bachelor's
10 SAT: 1145-1350
ACT: 22-29
Nashville, Tennessee Private lipscomb.edu
Valencia College
Associate's
Other Award
9 N/A Orlando, Florida Public valenciacollege.edu
Mercy University
Bachelor's
9 N/A Dobbs Ferry, New York Private mercy.edu
Franklin University
Bachelor's
9 N/A Columbus, Ohio Private franklin.edu
South Dakota State University (SDSU)
Bachelor's
9 SAT: 1040-1300
ACT: 19-26
Brookings, South Dakota Public sdstate.edu
Columbia College Chicago (CCC)
Bachelor's
8 N/A Chicago, Illinois Private colum.edu
Northern Michigan University (NMU)
Bachelor's
8 N/A Marquette, Michigan Public nmu.edu
University of Dayton (UD)
Postbac Cert.
8 SAT: 1195-1370
ACT: 26-31
Dayton, Ohio Private udayton.edu
Southern Adventist University
Bachelor's
8 SAT: 970-1270
ACT: 18-26
Collegedale, Tennessee Private southern.edu
University of Idaho (U of I)
Bachelor's
7 SAT: 950-1200
ACT: 20-29
Moscow, Idaho Public uidaho.edu
Monmouth College
Bachelor's
7 SAT: 1010-1230
ACT: 20-27
Monmouth, Illinois Private monmouthcollege.edu
Morgan State University (MSU)
Bachelor's
7 SAT: 860-1080
ACT: 17-21
Baltimore, Maryland Public morgan.edu
Iona University
Master's
7 SAT: 1055-1265
ACT: 20-28
New Rochelle, New York Private iona.edu
Biola University
Bachelor's
Master's
6 SAT: 1130-1360
ACT: 24-30
La Mirada, California Private biola.edu
Salem State University (SSU)
Bachelor's
6 SAT: 990-1160 Salem, Massachusetts Public salemstate.edu
Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
6 ACT: 14-18 Itta Bena, Mississippi Public mvsu.edu
Montana State University Billings (MSU Billings)
Bachelor's
Master's
6 N/A Billings, Montana Public msubillings.edu
Rider University
Bachelor's
6 SAT: 1100-1310
ACT: 22-29
Lawrenceville, New Jersey Private rider.edu
University of Toledo (UToledo)
Bachelor's
Other Award
6 SAT: 1050-1300
ACT: 22-28
Toledo, Ohio Public utoledo.edu
Harding University
Bachelor's
5 SAT: 1050-1280
ACT: 21-28
Searcy, Arkansas Private harding.edu
Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA)
Bachelor's
5 SAT: 970-1210
ACT: 19-26
West Palm Beach, Florida Private pba.edu
University of Northwestern (UNW)
Bachelor's
5 SAT: 981-1293
ACT: 22-29
Saint Paul, Minnesota Private unwsp.edu
Mississippi College (MC)
Master's
Post-Master's
5 ACT: 19-26 Clinton, Mississippi Private mc.edu
Rockhurst University
Bachelor's
5 SAT: 1116-1246
ACT: 22-27
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.

Related Communication Programs

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