So, you know you want to study public relations in college? That’s great! But where are you going to go? There are almost 2,000 four-year schools in the United States alone. So, you can either research each of them one at a time, or you can check out this list to get a better understanding of how a few schools with good public relations programs stack up against one another.
Syracuse University
Location: Syracuse, NY
Type: Private
Undergraduates Enrolled: 15,224
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Tuition and Fees: $43,318 (in-state and out-of-state)
Room & Board: $14,880
Syracuse, a nationally recognized leader in many fields, including public relations, has a proven track record of preparing students for careers in the area they choose. The S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications aims to equip students will all the skills need to be successful in a public relations position, offering both graduate and undergraduate coursework in the subject.
The Newhouse Alumni Career Advisory Network, made up of thousands of professionals who have earned their degrees through the college, aims to provide students with an awareness of job openings and opportunities to get advice from those who have come before them. So, you have a very good chance of getting an impressive job when you leave Syracuse.
University of Texas at Austin
Location: Austin, TX
Type: Public
Undergraduates Enrolled: 39,523
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Tuition and Fees: $9,830 (in-state); $34,836 (out-of-state)
Room & Board: $11,456
When you’re looking at one of the largest universities in the country (by population), it’s understandable that you might be a little discouraged. However, the University of Texas at Austin offers extensive research opportunities and a competitive faculty, at a much more communal level than you would expect when you look at their enrollment. In fact, its size accentuates its ability to contribute to the world of public relations, which has its own college at UT Austin.
The Department of Advertising and Public Relations has been a major player in the field nationally since it opened in the late 90s. Here, you will be able to create long-lasting connections at the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), which calls the university home to one of only nine chapters in the United States.
University of Southern California
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Type: Private
Undergraduates Enrolled: 18,740
Acceptance Rate: 18%
Tuition and Fees: $50,277 (in-state and out-of-state)
Room & Board: $13,855
Believe it or not, the best thing about this school is not its location (right in the center of Los Angeles). The University of Southern California is one of this country’s leaders in academics, and it’s arguably the best school for anyone who hopes to gain a career in public relations.
Public relations coursework here offers students a variety of options, so they can test out the many complex aspects of the field. Students have access to the Strategic Communication and Public Relations Center, which provides them with just about any resources they need to become experts in the business.
Other Schools Worth Mentioning:
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DePaul University
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Texas Christian University
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University of Alabama
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University of Florida
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University of Houston
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University of South Carolina
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University of Texas, San Antonio
