Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

CIP Code: 9.0900

A public relations, advertising, and applied communication degree prepares graduates for careers in Public relations managers, Advertising and promotions managers, Fundraising managers and more. 162 colleges and universities offer this program.

Annual Degrees Awarded
4,077
Colleges Offering 162
Avg. Career Salary $100,505
Top Career Salary $138,520

What Can You Do With a Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Degree?

Graduates with this degree pursue careers in the following fields:

Public relations managers

$138,520 +5.0% growth

Advertising and promotions managers

$126,960 -2.2% growth

Fundraising managers

$123,480 +4.2% growth

Communications teachers, postsecondary

$77,800 +2.1% growth

Public relations specialists

$69,780 +4.8% growth

Fundraisers

$66,490 +4.3% growth
$100,505
Average Salary Across Careers
$138,520
Highest Paying Career
6
Career Paths Available

Best Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees awarded. These are the top-rated colleges that produce the most graduates in public relations, advertising, and applied communication.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 105 A
2 Florida International University Miami, FL 210 B+
3 University of South Florida Tampa, FL 173 B+
4 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 165 B+
5 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX 118 B+
6 Georgetown University Washington, DC 93 B+
7 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO 379 B
8 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE 161 B
9 University of Houston Houston, TX 114 B
10 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 98 B
11 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 93 B
12 Howard University Washington, DC 87 B
13 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 76 B
14 Washington State University Pullman, WA 65 B
15 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 62 B
16 University of Mississippi University, MS 50 B
17 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA 47 B
18 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 44 B
19 Ball State University Muncie, IN 44 B
20 University of Delaware Newark, DE 35 B
21 Emerson College Boston, MA 34 B
22 Chapman University Orange, CA 33 B
23 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA 121 C+
24 The University of Tampa Tampa, FL 110 C+
25 Utah Valley University Orem, UT 75 C+
26 University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI 65 C+
27 Ithaca College Ithaca, NY 46 C+
28 Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CT 43 C+
29 Marist College Poughkeepsie, NY 40 C+
30 University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI 38 C+

Largest Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Programs

Schools ranked by number of graduates. These institutions produce the most public relations, advertising, and applied communication graduates annually, including online and distance learning programs.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO 379 B
2 Florida International University Miami, FL 210 B+
3 University of South Florida Tampa, FL 173 B+
4 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 165 B+
5 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE 161 B
6 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA 121 C+
7 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX 118 B+
8 University of Houston Houston, TX 114 B
9 The University of Tampa Tampa, FL 110 C+
10 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 105 A
11 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 98 B
12 Georgetown University Washington, DC 93 B+
13 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 93 B
14 Howard University Washington, DC 87 B
15 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 76 B
16 Utah Valley University Orem, UT 75 C+
17 Washington State University Pullman, WA 65 B
18 University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI 65 C+
19 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 62 B
20 University of Mississippi University, MS 50 B
21 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA 47 B
22 Ithaca College Ithaca, NY 46 C+
23 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 44 B
24 Ball State University Muncie, IN 44 B
25 Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CT 43 C+
26 Marist College Poughkeepsie, NY 40 C+
27 University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI 38 C+
28 Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT 38 C+
29 University of Delaware Newark, DE 35 B
30 Emerson College Boston, MA 34 B
4,077
Degrees Awarded Annually
162
Colleges Offering Program
6
Related Careers

About Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication is a degree program offered at 162 colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, approximately 4,077 students graduate with this degree.

Graduates with this degree can pursue careers such as public relations managers, advertising and promotions managers, fundraising managers, communications teachers, postsecondary, public relations specialists, and 1 more career paths.

Program Classification

CIP Code 9.0900
Field (2-digit CIP) 9.
Category (4-digit CIP) 9.090

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication degree?
A Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication degree can lead to careers as a public relations managers, advertising and promotions managers, fundraising managers, communications teachers, postsecondary, public relations specialists, and more. Top earners in related careers can make up to $138,520 annually.
How many colleges offer Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication?
162 colleges and universities in the United States offer Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication as a degree program. Each year, approximately 4,077 students graduate with this degree.
What are the best colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication?
The best colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication based on Repit's ratings include University of Southern California, Florida International University, University of South Florida, Florida State University, Texas Christian University. Rankings are based on the college's overall Repit grade and the number of degrees awarded in this program.
What is the salary potential with a Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication degree?
Graduates with a Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication degree can expect average salaries around $100,505 in related careers, with top earners making up to $138,520. Actual salaries depend on the specific career path, experience level, and location.