Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Public relations and communications director education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a public relations and communications director. Public relations and communications directors usually study communication, journalism, or english. 79% of public relations and communications directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 715 real public relations and communications director resumes to see exactly what public relations and communications director education sections show.
The most common colleges for public relations and communications directors are the The University of Alabama and the The University of Alabama.
There are also many online public relations and communications director courses to help get the education required to be a public relations and communications director.
What education do you need to become a public relations and communications director?
What degree do you need to be a public relations and communications director?
- Bachelor's, 79%
- Master's, 14%
- Associate, 4%
- Doctorate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a public relations and communications director?
- Communication, 20%
- Journalism, 15%
- English, 8%
- Public Relations, 8%
- Other Majors, 49%
Most common colleges for public relations and communications directors
| Public relations and communications director common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | 7.55% |
| Michigan State University | 6.60% |
| Syracuse University | 5.66% |
| Webster University | 5.66% |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | 5.66% |
Best majors for public relations and communications directors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication | 20.4% |
| 2 | Journalism | 15.0% |
| 3 | English | 8.5% |
| 4 | Public Relations | 8.3% |
| 5 | Business | 8.1% |
Best colleges for public relations and communications directors
The best colleges for public relations and communications directors are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.
A public relations and communications director 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 relations and communications directors. 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 relations and communications directors.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
3. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
9. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$15,094
Enrollment
32,974
10. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
20 best online courses for public relations and communications directors
Advertising disclosure
1. Crisis Communications
Crisis Communications is designed to empower professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively navigate and respond to crisis situations through interviews...
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. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide
Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...
5. 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...
6. Communication Fundamentals: How To Communicate Better
Become an Effective Communicator And Learn How to Get Your Message Across By Learning Communication Fundamentals...
7. Communication Skills for Beginners
Start Building Your Communication Skills Now...
8. Executive Communication Training
Being a great leader without being a great communicator is nearly impossible...
9. Communication Skills - 7 Communication Courses In 1
Master Communication Skills: Learn Persuasion, Negotiation, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence & More!...
10. Winning With Communication - Master Communication Skills
Communication Training Course - Develop True Communication Mastery!...
11. The Art of Communications - Become A Master Communicator
Communication skills training. Confidence. Public Speaking. Promotion. Body Language. Pay raise. Job interview. Speech...
12. Effective Communication Skills: Be a Better Communicator!
NEW UPGRADED COURSE: Learn proven, effective communication skills, how to question, listen actively & overcome problems...
13. CSR Development & Communications: Make a Difference Today!
Introduction to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program Development & Communication...
14. Press Coverage, Publicity & Public Relations For Branding
Public relations to reach 100,000+ people with influencer marketing, publicity, and press coverage for personal branding...
15. Communication Skills Masterclass: Speak Like A Leader
Master Public Speaking, Business Communication, Presentation Skills, Storytelling, Body Language, Listening & More!...
16. Effective Communication in the Workplace
Business Communication Training...
17. The Complete Communication Skills Master Class for Life
Communication Skills for Persuasion, Assertiveness and All Business Communication Needs...
18. Communicate Like a CEO
Dramatically improve your leadership communication skills on the way to the c-suite...
19. Basic Communication Skills
Learn how to be an effective communicator...
20. Assertive Communication Skills Masterclass
Assertive Communication Skills for Business & Social Life. Speak Confidently. Set Boundaries. Difficult conversations...
Top 10 most affordable universities for public relations and communications directors
The most affordable schools for public relations and communications directors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and university of florida.
If the best universities for public relations and communications directors 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 relations and communications directors.
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. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
6. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for public relations and communications directors
The hardest universities for public relations and communications directors to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for public relations and communications directors 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 relations and communications directors 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
7. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
9. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for public relations and communications directors
The easiest schools for public relations and communications directors to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and university of the incarnate word.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a public relations and communications director 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 relations and communications directors.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
6. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
7. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
8. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
9. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
10. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
Average public relations and communications director salary by education level
| Public relations and communications director education level | Public relations and communications director salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $150,731 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $128,116 |
Public relations and communications director education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.
Search for public relations and communications director jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025