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CIP 09.0900 Communication and Journalism

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

中文

Total graduates

4,068

2025 · 146 schools

International share

4.2%

170 international students

Bachelor's degrees

3,269

2.6% international

Master's degrees

756

11.2% international

Overview

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication is a dynamic field that focuses on the strategic management of communication between organizations and their various stakeholders. This interdisciplinary program combines elements of public relations, advertising, marketing, and communication theory to equip students with the skills necessary to effectively convey messages and enhance brand image.

Students in this program typically explore the principles of effective communication, media relations, crisis communication, and the development of advertising campaigns. They learn to craft persuasive narratives, analyze audience behavior, and utilize various media platforms to reach their target demographics. Hands-on experiences through internships and projects are often integral to the curriculum, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

Moreover, this field emphasizes the importance of ethical communication practices and the role of social responsibility in today’s media landscape. With the advent of digital media, students also delve into the impact of social networks and online platforms on public perception and advertising strategies.

Career opportunities for graduates are diverse, ranging from positions in corporate communication and brand management to roles in social media, event planning, and public affairs. As organizations increasingly recognize the value of effective communication in building relationships and managing reputations, the demand for skilled professionals in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication continues to grow. Overall, this major prepares students to navigate the complexities of communication in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2010 to 2025, graduates grew 504% and the international share went from 2.7% to 4.2%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
58.0%
Asian
3.1%
Hispanic
18.8%
Black
9.1%
Other
6.8%
Intl.
4.2%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 146 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#16 Washington University in St Louis Missouri 3 0
#23 Georgetown University D.C. 96 41
#27 University of Southern California California 128 23
#59 Florida State University Florida 163 5
#69 Michigan State University Michigan 64 2
#72 Syracuse University New York 69 3
#73 Howard University D.C. 94 0
#80 Pepperdine University California 26 0
#80 Drexel University Pennsylvania 39 3
#85 University of Delaware Delaware 41 1
#90 Texas Christian University Texas 147 4
#100 Chapman University California 37 3
#100 Florida International University Florida 192 13
#100 University of South Florida-Main Campus Florida 200 12
#109 University of Colorado Boulder Colorado 317 3
#116 University of Oregon Oregon 5 0
#121 University of Central Florida Florida 5 0
#137 University of Houston Texas 159 4
#156 Kansas State University Kansas 10 0
#169 Colorado State University-Fort Collins Colorado 10 0
#169 Bradley University Illinois 14 0
#169 Simmons University Massachusetts 6 0
#169 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Nebraska 117 0
#179 University of Mississippi Mississippi 44 5
#186 Texas Tech University Texas 42 0
#191 University of Arkansas Arkansas 122 1
#191 Washington State University Washington 61 0
#202 Sacred Heart University Connecticut 15 1
#208 Ohio Northern University Ohio 1 0
#208 Belmont University Tennessee 10 0
#208 University of North Texas Texas 1 0
#227 Ball State University Indiana 31 0
#236 University of North Florida Florida 23 4
#236 North Dakota State University-Main Campus North Dakota 26 0
#262 George Fox University Oregon 4 0
#276 Harding University Arkansas 21 1
#276 California Baptist University California 9 0
#288 Biola University California 11 0
#288 University of Memphis Tennessee 14 0
#299 Azusa Pacific University California 9 0
#299 Boise State University Idaho 14 0
#308 Oakland University Michigan 9 0
#308 Maryville University of Saint Louis Missouri 8 0
#332 University of South Alabama Alabama 22 0
#332 Mercy University New York 5 0
#332 University of Findlay Ohio 2 1
#332 Point Park University Pennsylvania 16 1
#342 Kennesaw State University Georgia 106 0
#353 University of Louisiana--Lafayette Louisiana 40 0
#365 University of Central Arkansas Arkansas 15 1
#376 Barry University Florida 7 0
#376 Concordia University-Saint Paul Minnesota 4 0
#376 Belhaven University Mississippi 5 0
#382 National University California 20 0
#382 Dallas Baptist University Texas 7 1
#382 Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce Puerto Rico 1 0
#382 Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus Puerto Rico 3 0
LAC #85 Susquehanna University Pennsylvania 15 0
LAC #119 Albion College Michigan 6 0
LAC #119 Meredith College North Carolina 12 0
LAC #146 Oglethorpe University Georgia 4 0
— Utah Valley University Utah 177 0
— The University of Tampa Florida 114 4
— Grand Valley State University Michigan 110 1
— Universidad del Sagrado Corazon Puerto Rico 105 0
— Central Connecticut State University Connecticut 39 0
— Ithaca College New York 37 0
— University of Wisconsin-River Falls Wisconsin 37 4
— Marist University New York 34 0
— Pennsylvania State University-World Campus Pennsylvania 31 0
— University of Central Oklahoma Oklahoma 30 0
— Loyola University New Orleans Louisiana 27 1
— Midway University Kentucky 21 1
— Endicott College Massachusetts 21 1
— University of Wisconsin--Oshkosh Wisconsin 20 0
— Minnesota State University-Mankato Minnesota 19 2
— SUNY Buffalo State University New York 19 0
— Flagler College Florida 17 0
— Webber International University Florida 16 3
— University of West Florida Florida 16 1
— Emerson College Massachusetts 16 6
— Middle Georgia State University Georgia 16 0
— Florida Southern College Florida 14 0
— El Paso Community College Texas 14 0
— Lasell University Massachusetts 13 2
— West Liberty University West Virginia 13 0
— PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE Florida 12 1
— Saint Peter's University New Jersey 12 0
— Simpson College Iowa 11 0
— Franklin College Indiana 10 0
— Ohio Dominican University Ohio 9 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Public Relations Specialists 283,380 $40.44 $84,120
Fundraisers 111,040 $37.12 $77,200
Public Relations Managers 74,850 $79.21 $164,760
Fundraising Managers 38,810 $67.32 $140,020
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary 29,420 — $90,010
Advertising and Promotions Managers 21,470 $74.18 $154,280

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2010–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.