A bachelor’s degree in public relations helps you prepare for a variety of career paths in communications, marketing, and related fields. Some jobs you might get with this degree include fundraising manager, advertising or promotions specialist, and public relations specialist.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that public relations specialists make $66,750 per year on average. The job outlook for this position is positive, as the market is expected to grow faster than average for this role through 2032.
The cost of earning a public relations degree depends on your path to a 4-year degree. Tuition and fees alone cost more than $7,000 on average per year with public universities, and you may pay much more if you opt for a private college or need to cover room and board. However, online programs may offer this degree at a lower total cost.
How to Choose an Online Bachelor’s in Public Relations Degree Program
Choose your area of study
While the core classes across public relations degree programs may be somewhat similar, your concentration will determine the high-level skills and knowledge you’ll gain. Think about what type of job you want after you graduate and your personal goals in obtaining this degree to understand what a good focus of study might be.
Some common concentrations offered in public relations degree programs include:
- Social media management or digital reputation management
- Business or corporate communications
- Brand reputation management
- Public affairs and government relations
- Event management
Research schools and programs
Research schools with public relations degree programs that meet your needs. Consider creating a checklist and applying it to each program you research. Considerations could include:
- Whether the program offers the type of concentration you want
- Class scheduling—synchronous online classes aren’t as flexible as asynchronous classes, but they might provide more structure if that’s something you know will help you succeed
- Costs, including tuition and fees, and whether financial aid is available for the program
- Whether the school is accredited and has a good reputation
- How competitive the school is and whether you can meet the admission requirements for the program
Prepare for tests and applications
Make a list of all the application requirements for your desired programs so you can work through them in a timely manner. Many 4-year degree programs, online or otherwise, require you to submit standardized test scores. Find out whether your schools of choice prefer the ACT or SAT so you can schedule the relevant tests.
Competitive public relations degree programs may require you to write an essay or submit a video as part of your application, and you may need to get letters of recommendation from previous teachers, supervisors, or others.
Select your program
While you can select your ideal program early on in the process, it’s often a good idea to apply to more than one school. You aren’t guaranteed entry into any program, and online programs that operate on a cohort basis may limit admissions to small numbers each semester. By applying to multiple programs, you can increase your chances of starting an online bachelor’s in public relations degree program at the right time.
If you get accepted to more than one program, you can use your preferences and research checklists to choose the one that is best for you.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Considering the financial implications of your degree program is an important practical step. While online programs may be more cost-effective than similar on-campus degree programs, the total cost is still usually counted in tens of thousands of dollars, so you need a plan going in for covering those expenses.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out if you qualify for federal grants or loans. Talk to someone in the financial aid office at your school to learn about work studies, scholarships, and other opportunities. You might also consider working full- or part-time or using personal savings to help cover the cost of your degree.
Best 50 Accredited Online Bachelor’s in Public Relations Degree Programs
Discover More Options
How We Rank Schools
This list features some of the best online bachelor’s in public relations programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online bachelor’s in public relations programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can You Expect From an Online Bachelor’s in Public Relations Degree Program?
If you take time to research your options and choose a high-quality school, an online bachelor’s program provides learning opportunities similar to those of a traditional on-campus public relations degree program. However, you may trade some structure and access to in-person assistance for flexibility and potentially lower costs.
Because online public relations programs may require you to seek out research, speaking, and networking opportunities to help you complete course requirements, ensure you’re comfortable working solo and advocating for your own education. You can also expect to participate in group projects and class discussions, often via online tools such as discussion boards and web calls.
In addition to online class time, required reading, and completion of assignments, you can expect to engage in practical components such as internships. Depending on your program requirements, you may need to complete a thesis paper or capstone project prior to graduation.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online bachelor’s in public relations degree program
- Media Relations. A media relations course prepares you to interact with journalists and other media professionals as a spokesperson for a brand, product, campaign, or other effort. You’ll also learn to manage media coverage through tools such as media packets and press releases.
- Digital Marketing. Digital marketing, including social media management, can be an essential part of PR work. A digital marketing course teaches the fundamentals of online reputation management, search engine optimization, and channel management.
- Crisis Communications. This course covers strategies for managing public opinion during a crisis for a business, brand, public figure, or agency. You may learn skills such as polling and data analysis, reputation protection, and communicating under fire.
- PR Ethics. A public relations ethics course delves into the ethical and legal considerations relevant to public relations. You’ll likely review historical and current law precedence and discuss ethical challenges in public relations and how to deal with them.
- Public Speaking. In a public speaking course, you will learn and practice skills relevant to giving speeches and answering questions in a public setting. These courses typically require real-world practice, even if you’re taking them online. You may give presentations on web calls or be asked to seek out local opportunities for speaking in front of others.
Online Bachelor’s in Public Relations Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online bachelor's in public relations degree program?
Begin by researching accredited schools that offer an online bachelor’s degree in public relations that includes your desired focus area. Call the admissions office for those programs to find out more about the application process and get any specific tips admissions counselors may be able to offer. Spend time crafting your application, and get someone else to proofread it for good measure.
Depending on your program, you may have to submit additional information and documentation, including letters of recommendation, essays or videos, transcripts, and test scores. Set goals for each of these with deadlines that are well before the actual due date so you aren’t late with any component of your application.
How much does an online bachelor's in public relations degree cost?
The cost of an online bachelor’s degree depends on the fees per credit hour. Multiplying that by the total number of credit hours you need for the degree provides an idea of the total cost, which can vary significantly from school to school.
For example, the University of Florida offers an online bachelor’s in public relations. The number of credits you need depends on the track you take and how many credits you might transfer in. You’ll pay around $129 per credit as of 2024, so if you need 120 credits, the total tuition cost is around $15,500.
However, many other programs charge $300 to $600 or more per credit hour, so it’s important to research cost details as you prepare for your degree.
How long does it take to earn an online bachelor's in public relations degree?
One of the benefits of an online degree program is flexibility. To some extent, how long it takes you to complete an online bachelor’s in public relations depends on you.
If you attend part-time to fit school between other obligations, you might take up to 6 years to graduate. Traditional tracks take around four years when taking a full-time class load for two semesters each year. Cohort-based accelerated programs, which are typically designed for professionals looking to add a degree to their credentials, may only take two years of intensive online study.