Top Colleges for Public Relations

As blogging, social media and other digital platforms increasingly give the public a global voice, audience response to mass messaging is expanding the role of public relations. For decades, colleges have produced far more communications graduates than available jobs. Top-ranked degree programs in public relations, however, offer you the opportunity to gain an edge in a growing but fiercely competitive job market.

Georgetown University

Georgetown University’s Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications is the 2012 winner of the PR Education Program of the Year award presented by PR Week. Georgetown University as a whole ranks No. 21 in the nation on the 2012 list from "U.S. News & World Report" of top universities. Located in Washington, D.C., Georgetown offers close-by internship and networking opportunities in the nation’s capital.

Syracuse University

The Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University earned Honorable Mention, essentially second place, for PR Week’s 2012 PR Education Program of the Year award. Syracuse ranks No. 58 in the nation on the "U.S. News & World Report" 2012 list of top universities. Undergraduate admissions at this Syracuse, N.Y., university are profoundly competitive, with an acceptance rate of less than 10 percent.

Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University’s public relations program was one of three finalists for PR Week’s 2012 PR Education Program of the Year award. BYU ranks No. 68 in the nation on the "U.S. News & World Report" 2012 list of top universities. BYU is the third-largest private university and largest faith-based university in the United States.

New York University

The New York University public relations program was a finalist for PR Week’s 2012 PR Education Program of the Year award. NYU ranks No. 32 in the nation on the "U.S. News & World Report" 2012 list of top universities. This private university is known for its proximity to networking and job opportunities with top New York public relations professionals.

University of Alabama

The University of Alabama’s public relations program was a finalist for PR Week’s 2012 PR Education Program of the Year award. Alabama ranks No. 77 in the nation on the "U.S. News & World Report" 2012 list of top universities.

Other Top Colleges for Public Relations

Finalists from PR Week’s PR Education Program of the Year in previous years and public relations programs at schools with strong rankings in the 2012 "U.S. News & World Report" list of top universities include: Auburn University; Ball State University, College of Communication, Information, and Media; Boston University, College of Communication; Michigan State University; University of Georgia, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications; University of Pennsylvania, Annenberg School for Communication; University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism; and University of Texas at Austin, the Department of Advertising and Public Relations.