Best Online Public Relations Degrees

Ready to start your journey?

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Are you good at maintaining an image? The Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Relations may be perfect for you.

The field of Public Relations is even more relevant now than it has been back in the day. One bad Twitter story about your product could harm your image. That’s where you come in.

You have the option to work in a variety of different settings including private companies, government agencies, or even educational institutions. You can even earn this degree online in the convenience of your own home. PR specialists make a healthy median salary of $60,000 per year.

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

What is a Public Relations degree?

Becoming a professional in PR requires story-telling, sometimes damage control, and strategic planning. Writing should definitely be one of your strong suits. Your primary focus is on communicating with the media and shedding a positive light on your company.

There are several career options in this field including social media manager, marketing coordinator, or media relations specialist. You’re likely to focus on developing social media programs to promote businesses. This degree is for people who are good at handling social media questions and concerns.

How much can you earn with a Public Relations degree?

The salary for this field may surprise you as it is higher than the average bachelor’s salary of $50,556. The median salary for PR specialists as of 2018 was $60,000 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The forecasted growth for this field is 9 percent from 2016 to 2026, higher than the average growth rate of 7 percent. Those working in the federal government earned the most with a median salary of $64,530. Those who are working in the education sector still earn a healthy median salary of $55,790.

Public Relations from a financial angle is Marketing. For a broad business degree, your best bet is one of the Best Online Business Administration Degrees.

What is required for a Public Relations degree?

There are certain requirements you must fulfill in order to get your Bachelor’s in PR. Before getting admitted into the program, you must submit your ACT/SAT scores. You may also need to provide a personal statement and letters of recommendation.

You’ll typically take courses in public speaking, media ethics and law, as well as public relations writing. Down the road, you may want to seek voluntary PR certification and accreditation. This is done through different groups who require several years of experience and examination.

What are the best Public Relations degrees?

OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.

The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.

Oral Roberts University

Quick Facts

  • Capstone Project required for graduation
  • 123 credit hours required for graduation
  • Offer a variety of different scholarships
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

79%

Acceptance Rate

93%

Programs Offered Online

61

Programs in Department

11

Popularity at School

11%

100%OSR Score

Oral Roberts University provides an online BS in Digital Communication Degree that prepares you for growing online brands and creating new digital experiences. At this school, you are able to earn industry certificates as part of your classes. ORU prides themselves on their Christian values.

SUNY College at Oswego

Quick Facts

  • Can start in any semester
  • Designed for those with college credits already
  • 45 major credits
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

54%

Programs Offered Online

4

Median Debt

$22,787

Programs in Department

3

Popularity at School

14%

93%OSR Score

At Suny Oswego, you’ll be taught by the same expert faculty as on-campus students. This online PR program offers specialized electives to help you develop key skills in the field including crisis management and graphic design. It prepares you for a career in any sector including government or nonprofit.

Webster University

Quick Facts

  • Requires a thesis or internship
  • 128 credit hours is required for graduation
  • Ranked in top 15% for non-traditional students of universities nationwide
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

72%

Acceptance Rate

1%

Programs Offered Online

12

Median Debt

$24,272

Programs in Department

4

Popularity at School

12%

93%OSR Score

Webster University’s program provides students an overall view of the communication field and then allows them to take a 12-hour concentration in their desired program. You will take courses such as Cultural Diversity in the Media and Ethics in the Media. Students are required to pass a portfolio review typically in their Junior year.

Point Park University

Quick Facts

  • 122 credits are required for graduation
  • May require an interview for admission

Ranked as one of the Most Affordable Online Communications Degrees

Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

65%

Programs Offered Online

11

Median Debt

$24,330

Programs in Department

3

Popularity at School

8%

82%OSR Score

You’ll get hands-on experience as a capstone is required where you work with an agency to create a campaign. The program was created by professionals who are in the field. You will learn the ins and outs of PR with classes on graphic design and business.

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

Quick Facts

  • Offers a class on independent studies
  • Offers asynchronous learning
  • 120 credits are required for graduation
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Acceptance Rate

67%

Programs Offered Online

42

Programs in Department

5

Popularity at School

3%

77%OSR Score

This online program provides you with written and oral communication skills that global businesses and organizations are looking for. You’ll be learning from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts expert faculty. This school has over 125 years of experience in distance learning.

Franklin University

Franklin University

Quick Facts

  • Capstone requirement
  • Credit hours required for graduation are 124
  • Learn from real-world practitioners
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

73%

Programs Offered Online

32

Median Debt

$32,112

Programs in Department

3

Popularity at School

4%

77%OSR Score

Franklin University’s online program has coursework that follows the Public Relations Society of America standards. You’ll get a hands-on approach with this program, as all classes use real-life scenarios that aim to help you solve similar issues in the professional world. The program is transfer-friendly as you can transfer up to 94 credits from another university.

National University

National University

Quick Facts

  • Offers 4-week classes
  • 180 quarter units of coursework required for graduation
  • Marketing project is required
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

71%

Programs Offered Online

46

Median Debt

$33,915

Programs in Department

2

Popularity at School

1%

72%OSR Score

NU’s online program is designed to provide you with a business degree combined with communication skills that allow you to create multi-platform messages. Military personnel enjoys discounted tuition. You can take classes on your own take as they are asynchronous.

Montana State University-Billings

Quick Facts

  • Modeled after PRSA standards
  • Provides internship opportunities
  • 120 credits are required for graduation
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Programs Offered Online

7

Median Debt

$25,941

Programs in Department

3

Popularity at School

3%

71%OSR Score

A unique trait about this program is that it prepares students to work in a variety of different work settings including healthcare and nonprofit. This degree is designed to combine communication and media studies with marketing. MSU also accepts transfer credits from all accredited university programs.

California Baptist University

California Baptist University

Quick Facts

  • Prepares you to work in a variety of settings
  • Will have access to a personal admissions counselor
  • 48 major units are required for graduation
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

78%

Acceptance Rate

77%

Programs Offered Online

23

Median Debt

$29,733

Programs in Department

2

Popularity at School

4%

70%OSR Score

This program is designed to provide a Christian view on all facets of communication. This program also teaches students how to approach issues in the global context. You’re required to complete a communication senior project.

Mid-America Christian University

Mid American Christian University

Quick Facts

  • 85% of grads are employed within 2 years
  • Program is 100% online
  • 124 credits are required for graduation
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

79%

Programs Offered Online

13

Median Debt

$27,850

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

1%

68%OSR Score

The B.S. in Communication, Media and Ethics program is designed to equip you with the tools of online engagement. At this school, you can request a virtual campus visit. The university core requirements are Christian-based and focus on the bible and theology.

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.