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Public information relations manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a public information relations manager. Public information relations managers usually study journalism, communication, or public relations. 85% of public information relations managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 35 real public information relations manager resumes to see exactly what public information relations manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for public information relations managers are the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Colorado at Boulder.
There are also many online public information relations manager courses to help get the education required to be a public information relations manager.
What education do you need to become a public information relations manager?
What degree do you need to be a public information relations manager?
- Bachelor's, 85%
- Master's, 12%
- Diploma, 4%
What should I major in to become a public information relations manager?
- Journalism, 25%
- Communication, 19%
- Public Relations, 8%
- English, 8%
- Other Majors, 40%
Most common colleges for public information relations managers
| Public information relations manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Colorado at Boulder | 5.00% |
| University of Connecticut | 5.00% |
| University of the Pacific | 5.00% |
| Harvard University | 5.00% |
| Western Kentucky University | 5.00% |
Best majors for public information relations managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Journalism | 25.0% |
| 2 | Communication | 19.4% |
| 3 | Public Relations | 8.3% |
| 4 | English | 8.3% |
| 5 | Education | 5.6% |
Best colleges for public information relations managers
The best colleges for public information relations managers are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University.
A public information relations manager with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for public information relations managers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become public information relations managers.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
7. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,816
Enrollment
21,047
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
9. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
10. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
20 best online courses for public information relations managers
Advertising disclosure
1. Communicating with the Public
Rooted in theater, journalism and humanities practices, this course presents tools and techniques that help you improve your public-facing communication skills, particularly when describing your work to a lay audience. Whether it’s a 30-second elevator pitch or speaking to a large organization, “Communicating with the Public” will boost your confidence in any speech-communication scenario...
2. Introduction to Public Relations and the Media
This specialization is ideal for learners interested in how to practice public relations and branding communication. You will learn how to use different tools to manage your company’s reputation. You will learn about different forms of media, how to work with journalists, and how to plan strategic communication to enhance your company. And you will emerge from this specialization with several portfolio pieces, including a media contact list, press release, pitch, and crisis communication plan...
3. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications
Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...
4. Press Coverage, Publicity & Public Relations For Branding
Public relations to reach 100,000+ people with influencer marketing, publicity, and press coverage for personal branding...
5. Networks and Communications Security
Welcome to Networks and Communications Security Course! In the Networks and Communications Security Course, you will learn about the network structure, data transmission methods, transport formats, and the security measures used to maintain integrity, availability, authentication, and confidentiality of the information being transmitted. Concepts for both public and private communication networks will be discussed. Course Objectives 1. Describe network-related security issues 2. Identify...
6. Public Speaking Skills: Give a Great Informational Speech
Public Speaking - You can confidently present information in a way that is understandable and memorable...
7. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide
Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...
8. Advanced Product Management: Leadership & Communication
Accelerate your Product Management career. Master communication, people management, & leadership...
9. The Art of Public Speaking
Master Public Speaking: Deliver Unforgettable Speeches & Presentations With The World's Most Decorated Public Speaker...
10. Public Speaking: A tactical approach
This course will teach public speaking, communication skills and storytelling in an entirely new way...
11. Public Speaking & Communicating: Skip Theory, Master the Art
Public Speaking,Presenting,Communicating. After years in the Making: The Spark Words method has been proven by Thousands...
12. Communication Skills - 7 Communication Courses In 1
Master Communication Skills: Learn Persuasion, Negotiation, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence & More!...
13. Communication Fundamentals: How To Communicate Better
Become an Effective Communicator And Learn How to Get Your Message Across By Learning Communication Fundamentals...
14. Communication Skills for Beginners
Start Building Your Communication Skills Now...
15. The Ultimate Public Relations Masterclass
Everything you need to know to be successful at PR in a digital world...
16. Public Speaking for People Who Hate Public Speaking
Public Speaking for People Who Hate Public Speaking - Presentation Skills - Communication Skills and Storytelling...
17. Executive Communication Training
Being a great leader without being a great communicator is nearly impossible...
18. The Art of Communications - Become A Master Communicator
Communication skills training. Confidence. Public Speaking. Promotion. Body Language. Pay raise. Job interview. Speech...
19. Advanced agile communication skills for 21st Century leaders
Upgrade your skills for Industry 4.0 by discovering how to lead using information, communication & control (agile)...
20. Communication Skills every Manager should Master
Powerful Communication Techniques to better Delegate, Communicate Decisions, Change Resistance, Say No & Admit Mistakes...
Top 10 most affordable universities for public information relations managers
The most affordable schools for public information relations managers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for public information relations managers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for public information relations managers.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
6. USF St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,821
Cost of attendance
19,849
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
9. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
10. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for public information relations managers
The hardest universities for public information relations managers to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University.
Some great schools for public information relations managers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for public information relations managers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
3. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
6. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,545
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for public information relations managers
The easiest schools for public information relations managers to get into are University of the Incarnate Word, notre dame de namur university, and rochester university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a public information relations manager without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for public information relations managers.
1. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
4. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
5. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
6. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
7. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
8. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
9. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
10. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
Average public information relations manager salary by education level
| Public information relations manager education level | Public information relations manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $77,802 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $69,212 |
Public information relations manager education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025