Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Senior public relations manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a senior public relations manager. Senior public relations managers usually study communication, journalism, or public relations. 84% of senior public relations managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 457 real senior public relations manager resumes to see exactly what senior public relations manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for senior public relations managers are the San Jose State University and the San Jose State University.
There are also many online senior public relations manager courses to help get the education required to be a senior public relations manager.
What education do you need to become a senior public relations manager?
What degree do you need to be a senior public relations manager?
- Bachelor's, 84%
- Master's, 12%
- Associate, 3%
- Diploma, 0%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a senior public relations manager?
- Communication, 22%
- Journalism, 20%
- Public Relations, 11%
- Other Majors, 40%
Most common colleges for senior public relations managers
| Senior public relations manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| San Jose State University | 12.77% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 8.51% |
| San Diego State University | 7.45% |
| University of Iowa | 6.38% |
| New York University | 5.32% |
Best majors for senior public relations managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication | 21.5% |
| 2 | Journalism | 20.1% |
| 3 | Public Relations | 10.8% |
| 4 | Political Science | 6.7% |
| 5 | Business | 6.1% |
Best colleges for senior public relations managers
The best colleges for senior public relations managers are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University.
A senior 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 senior 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 senior public 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 senior public relations managers
Advertising disclosure
1. Strategies for Senior Housing Communities during COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, poses a high risk for senior housing communities and the people who live and work there. The COVID-19 response has largely focused on nursing homes, leaving independent living communities serving older adults in the United States with fragmented guidance on how to respond to COVID-19 challenges. This course provides comprehensive instruction and resources for property owners and managers, senior housing staff, service coordinators and providers,...
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. 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 Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide
Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...
7. Advanced Product Management: Leadership & Communication
Accelerate your Product Management career. Master communication, people management, & leadership...
8. Communication Fundamentals: How To Communicate Better
Become an Effective Communicator And Learn How to Get Your Message Across By Learning Communication Fundamentals...
9. Executive Communication Training
Being a great leader without being a great communicator is nearly impossible...
10. ChatGPT for Better Business Communication
How to use AI to Increase Productivity and Communicate More Effectively [Improve Business Writing Skills with GPT 4]...
11. Communication Skills - 7 Communication Courses In 1
Master Communication Skills: Learn Persuasion, Negotiation, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence & More!...
12. The Ultimate Business Communication Course
Everything You Need to Master Business Communication in One Course!...
13. The Art of Communications - Become A Master Communicator
Communication skills training. Confidence. Public Speaking. Promotion. Body Language. Pay raise. Job interview. Speech...
14. Communication Skills for Beginners
Start Building Your Communication Skills Now...
15. CSR Development & Communications: Make a Difference Today!
Introduction to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program Development & Communication...
16. Communication Skills for the Global Workplace
Practical Communication Skills...
17. Effective Communication for Healthcare Leaders
Getting your points across as a healthcare administrator...
18. Effective Communication in the Workplace
Business Communication Training...
19. Assertive Communication Skills Masterclass
Assertive Communication Skills for Business & Social Life. Speak Confidently. Set Boundaries. Difficult conversations...
20. Business Communication Skills: EQ Intelligent Interactions
Elevate Your Business Communication Skills for Success. Learn to Master the Art of Emotionally Intelligent Interactions...
Top 10 most affordable universities for senior public relations managers
The most affordable schools for senior public 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 senior 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 senior public 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 senior public relations managers
The hardest universities for senior public relations managers to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University.
Some great schools for senior 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 senior 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
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 senior public relations managers
The easiest schools for senior public 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 senior 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 senior public 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 senior public relations manager salary by education level
| Senior public relations manager education level | Senior public relations manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $109,775 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $98,352 |
Senior public relations manager education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.
Search for senior public relations manager jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025