Public Relations and Advertising: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Programs in Public Relations and Advertising prepare students to shape perceptions, build brand identity, and foster strategic communication within organizations and across diverse publics. This interdisciplinary field integrates core principles of messaging, media engagement, and audience analysis to support effective outreach and influence in both corporate and non-profit environments.
- Strategic Communication Planning: Developing comprehensive communication campaigns tailored to specific goals, audiences, and organizational missions, ensuring alignment with broader business or advocacy objectives.
- Media Relations and Outreach: Crafting and distributing press materials, managing media inquiries, and cultivating relationships with journalists and influencers to enhance visibility and credibility.
- Brand Development and Identity: Designing cohesive visual and verbal branding strategies that communicate a consistent, compelling image across platforms and touchpoints.
- Advertising Campaigns and Execution: Creating persuasive advertising content across digital, print, broadcast, and social media channels, with emphasis on targeting, messaging, and performance analytics.
- Public Affairs and Crisis Communication: Preparing organizations to respond effectively to public scrutiny, manage reputational risks, and maintain trust during periods of uncertainty or controversy.
- Digital and Social Media Strategy: Leveraging data-driven approaches to optimize engagement, track campaign performance, and maintain a dynamic presence across evolving digital platforms.
- Consumer Behavior and Audience Analysis: Studying how individuals and groups respond to messaging, enabling the creation of targeted, impactful communication that resonates with specific demographics.
Public Relations and Advertising Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Public Relations and Advertising Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Public Relations and Advertising degrees, including . 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.
Career salary data is not available for this program.
Top Universities for Public Relations and Advertising by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 46 institutions offering Public Relations and Advertising 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 Advertising is found at Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (319 graduates), Utah Valley University (UVU) (115 graduates), Arkansas State University (A-State) (95 graduates), DePaul University (87 graduates), and Loyola University Chicago (LUC) (75 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,296 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
319 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Bachelor's
|
115 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
95 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
87 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
|
75 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
Butler University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
70 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Master's
|
63 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
|
56 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
Pepperdine University |
Bachelor's
|
51 | Malibu, California | Private | pepperdine.edu |
The University of Tampa (UTampa) |
Master's
|
40 | Tampa, Florida | Private | ut.edu |
Duquesne University |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
Suffolk University |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | suffolk.edu |
Temple University |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
20 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
Bellevue University |
Master's
|
20 | Bellevue, Nebraska | Private | bellevue.edu |
Dalton State College (DSC) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Dalton, Georgia | Public | daltonstate.edu |
St. John's University (SJU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
Liberty University |
Master's
|
17 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
Quinnipiac University (QU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Hamden, Connecticut | Private | qu.edu |
Morehead State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Morehead, Kentucky | Public | moreheadstate.edu |
Fairfield University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | fairfield.edu |
University of Central Missouri (UCM) |
Other Award
|
9 | Warrensburg, Missouri | Public | ucmo.edu |
Muskingum University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | New Concord, Ohio | Private | muskingum.edu |
Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | New York, New York | Private | mmm.edu |
Ana G. Mendez University (AGMU) |
Master's
|
7 | Orlando, Florida | Private | agmu.edu |
Thomas College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Waterville, Maine | Private | thomas.edu |
University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Other Award
|
6 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
Abilene Christian University (ACU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Abilene, Texas | Private | acu.edu |
Tulane University of Louisiana |
Bachelor's
|
5 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
Boston University (BU) |
Other Award
|
5 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
Campbell University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Buies Creek, North Carolina | Private | campbell.edu |
Robert Morris University (RMU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | Private | rmu.edu |
Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
La Sierra University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Riverside, California | Private | lasierra.edu |
Utica University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Utica, New York | Private | utica.edu |
Virginia State University (VSU) |
Master's
|
4 | Petersburg, Virginia | Public | vsu.edu |
West Virginia University (WVU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
3 | Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
Monmouth University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | West Long Branch, New Jersey | Private | monmouth.edu |
Union University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Jackson, Tennessee | Private | uu.edu |
Rowan University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | ollusa.edu |
University of Evansville (UE) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Evansville, Indiana | Private | evansville.edu |
University of Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
Missouri Western State University (MWSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Joseph, Missouri | Public | missouriwestern.edu |
Southern Adventist University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Collegedale, Tennessee | Private | southern.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Public Relations and Advertising programs
Which universities have the largest Public Relations and Advertising programs?
Currently 46 accredited institutions offer Public Relations and Advertising degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (319 graduates), Utah Valley University (UVU) (115 graduates), and Arkansas State University (A-State) (95 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 Advertising growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,123 in 2010 to a peak of 1,807 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,296 in 2023-24. This represents a 15% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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.
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