Public relations manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a public relations manager. Public relations managers usually study communication, journalism, or public relations. 79% of public relations managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 9,283 real public relations manager resumes to see exactly what public relations manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for public relations managers are the New York University and the New York University.

There are also many online public relations manager courses to help get the education required to be a public relations manager.

There are certain public relations manager certifications that you should consider. These public relations manager certifications include Accreditation in Public Relations (PR) and Professional Certified Marketer (PCM).

What education do you need to become a public relations manager?

What degree do you need to be a public relations manager?

The most common degree for public relations managers is bachelor's degree, with 79% of public relations managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 11% and master's degree degree at 6%.

Bachelor's, 79%

Master's, 11%

Associate, 6%

High School Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a public relations manager?

You should major in communication to become a public relations manager. 21% of public relations managers major in communication. Other common majors for a public relations manager include journalism and public relations.

Communication, 21%

Journalism, 13%

Public Relations, 11%

Business, 11%

Other Majors, 44%

Most common colleges for public relations managers

Public relations managers often get their degrees at New York University, Florida State University, and Boston University. Here are the most common colleges for public relations managers in the US based on their resumes.

Public relations manager common college	Percentages
New York University	7.43%
Florida State University	6.50%
Boston University	6.04%
Syracuse University	5.92%
American University	5.46%

Show more common public relations manager colleges

Best majors for public relations managers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Communication	20.9%
2	Journalism	12.6%
3	Public Relations	11.3%
4	Business	10.6%
5	English	7.7%

Show more common public relations manager majors

Best colleges for public relations managers

The best colleges for public relations managers are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Boston University.

A public 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 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 relations managers.

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. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

5. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

7. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

8. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

9. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

10. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

20 best online courses for public relations managers

Advertising disclosure

1. 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...

2. 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...

3. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications

4.6

(2,248)

Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...

4. Press Coverage, Publicity & Public Relations For Branding

4.3

(496)

Public relations to reach 100,000+ people with influencer marketing, publicity, and press coverage for personal branding...

5. Integrated Marketing Communications: Advertising, Public Relations, Digital Marketing and more

Just how familiar are you with a marketing communication campaign? Learn more about this key pillar in the marketing mix and use it to give the push your product or service needs. Through this course you will understand the most important issues when planning and evaluating marketing communications strategies and executions in order to create valuable brands and win consumers. You'll be able to combine the appropriate theories and models with practical information to make better marketing...

6. The Ultimate Public Relations Masterclass

4.7

(2,558)

Everything you need to know to be successful at PR in a digital world...

7. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide

4.5

(961)

Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...

8. Advanced Product Management: Leadership & Communication

4.5

(2,424)

Accelerate your Product Management career. Master communication, people management, & leadership...

9. Executive Communication Training

4.5

(272)

Being a great leader without being a great communicator is nearly impossible...

10. Communication Skills for Beginners

4.5

(5,736)

Start Building Your Communication Skills Now...

11. The Art of Communications - Become A Master Communicator

4.5

(8,409)

Communication skills training. Confidence. Public Speaking. Promotion. Body Language. Pay raise. Job interview. Speech...

12. Communication Fundamentals: How To Communicate Better

4.5

(82,838)

Become an Effective Communicator And Learn How to Get Your Message Across By Learning Communication Fundamentals...

13. Communication Skills - 7 Communication Courses In 1

4.6

(748)

Master Communication Skills: Learn Persuasion, Negotiation, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence & More!...

14. CSR Development & Communications: Make a Difference Today!

4.4

(378)

Introduction to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program Development & Communication...

15. Public Speaking & Communicating: Skip Theory, Master the Art

4.6

(2,476)

Public Speaking,Presenting,Communicating. After years in the Making: The Spark Words method has been proven by Thousands...

16. Communication Skills Masterclass: Speak Like A Leader

4.2

(295)

Master Public Speaking, Business Communication, Presentation Skills, Storytelling, Body Language, Listening & More!...

17. Communications for New Managers

4.5

(2,809)

Learn from an Emmy-Award Winner and a #1 Linked In Instructor on developing effective leadership communications skills...

18. The Art of Public Speaking

4.7

(270)

Master Public Speaking: Deliver Unforgettable Speeches & Presentations With The World's Most Decorated Public Speaker...

19. Public Speaking: A tactical approach

4.5

(1,523)

This course will teach public speaking, communication skills and storytelling in an entirely new way...

20. Winning With Communication - Master Communication Skills

4.4

(539)

Communication Training Course - Develop True Communication Mastery!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for public relations managers

The most affordable schools for public relations managers are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for public 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 relations managers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

6. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. USF St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,821

Cost of attendance

19,849

9. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for public relations managers

The hardest universities for public relations managers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Boston University.

Some great schools for public 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 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

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

6. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

8. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

10. University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,365

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for public relations managers

The easiest schools for public relations managers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, barry university, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a public 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 relations managers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

5. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

6. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

7. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

8. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

9. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average public relations manager salary by education level

According to our data, public relations managers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $103,616 annually. Public relations managers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $93,694.

Public relations manager education level	Public relations manager salary
Master's Degree	$103,616
Bachelor's Degree	$93,694

Public relations manager education FAQs

What is the best college for Public Relations Managers?

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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