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First, some facts. Of the Communications-Public Relations graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 58 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Communications-Public Relations graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 13% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Communications-Public Relations graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 93% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelors in Communications-Public Relations. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPublic Relations (Service Learning) Boy Scouts of America - Inland Empire Council Sep 2010 - Dec 2010 Intern  PBS SoCal Sep 2010 - Dec 2010 Intern Experian Jan 2011 - Jul 2012 Senior Public Relations Specialist Experian Jul 2012 - Present ABOUTI am a public relations and communications professional with in depth corporate experience in the financial industry. Adaptable, strategic, creative and strong follow through are my key strengths.Specialties: Media relations, social media management, strategic communications planning, issues management, analyzing data, reporting and measurement analytics. Also skilled with the following programs:Onclusive, Signal AI, Dynamic Signal, Public Relay, Cisionpoint, Critical Mention, SharePoint, NewsWeaver, TeamSite, Omniture, Wordpress, Hootsuite, Tweet Reach and Microsoft Office. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the job profiles for people who graduated with a degree in Communications-Public Relations, you'll notice that they often end up in a mix of roles that vary widely in relevance to their field. Many positions, such as data entry or administrative roles, tend to stray far from the core public relations skills taught in their programs, like media relations, strategic communication, and audience engagement. Students from schools like California State University-Fullerton frequently find themselves in marketing-focused roles that might require some communication skills but not the full depth of PR expertise they learned in school. In contrast, roles directly aligned with communication strategies, like community engagement directors and public relations specialists, are more common among graduates from backgrounds that emphasize strategic outreach and audience interaction.
Overall, there's a significant split in job relevancy when it comes to graduates from Communications-Public Relations programs. A number of people landed in roles that are only tangentially related—like account coordinators and marketing assistants—where they leverage some communication skills but aren't fully employing their public relations training. On the flip side, those who worked in campaign management, community activism, or as communications specialists often find themselves in positions where they can really shine, fully utilizing the tools and knowledge gained through their degree. So, while there are plenty of chances to apply what they've learned, many still end up in jobs that don’t make the most of their degree in Communications-Public Relations.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Communications-Public Relations graduates:
Looking at the career trajectories of Communications-Public Relations graduates from various universities, there’s a mixed bag of early jobs and long-term career paths. Many of these graduates tended to start in roles that are a bit far from the PR wheelhouse, like administrative jobs or data entry positions. For instance, one graduate from the University of Rhode Island kicked off their career as a Data Entry Specialist and moved into operations-related roles, which isn’t exactly what you think of when you hear "Communications" or "Public Relations." Similarly, others found their first roles as administrative assistants or in marketing but ended up in more analytical positions or even completely different fields over the years.
Fast forward five or ten years later, and you can see a clearer picture. Some graduates eventually found their way back into roles that align more closely with communications or leadership in community engagement, showing that they navigated their careers toward settings that utilize their degree skills. For example, someone from California State University-Fullerton transitioned from grassroots organizing into higher-level civic engagement roles, indicating growth in a relevant direction. Others, especially those involved in healthcare management or internal communications at notable organizations, have established themselves in positions that leverage their education effectively. However, it’s important to recognize that many have taken a winding road—whether they switched industries entirely or simply did not land roles directly related to what they studied initially. Overall, while there are solid examples of success in the field, it seems that not all graduates immediately kickstart their PR careers, with some drifting into unrelated jobs before finding their footing.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Communications-Public Relations is often considered to be on the easier side compared to some other majors, but that doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. You’ll dive into subjects like media relations, writing, and marketing, which can be super interesting if you enjoy storytelling and connecting with people. There’s definitely a lot of reading and writing involved, and some projects might feel overwhelming, but if you’re passionate about the subject, it can be pretty manageable. Overall, if you stay organized and put in the effort, you’ll likely find it less stressful than, say, engineering or math-heavy degrees. Just be ready to network and engage with a lot of different ideas along the way!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Communications-Public Relations.
Looking at these graduates, it's pretty clear that their career trajectories vary a lot when it comes to salary potential. The ones working in data analysis and corporate roles, like the graduate from the University of Rhode Island and the California State University-Sacramento alumni, have landed some solid positions that typically offer decent pay—especially if they've been with the same company for several years and moved up the ranks. However, those who started in more entry-level roles or in campaign organizing, like the CSU-Fullerton grad, may not have seen the same financial rewards, especially in the early stages of their careers.
In general, it seems like many of these folks have gained valuable experience and possibly decent pay over time, but like any field, there are definitely disparities. The more corporate-oriented paths appear to lead to better-paying positions, while those in non-profits or entry-level roles might have to keep grinding for a while before hitting a more lucrative spot. So, if you're aiming for a comfy paycheck, focusing on industries like corporate communications or data analysis might be the way to go!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Communications-Public Relations. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Communications-Public Relations (ordered by the average relevance score of their Communications-Public Relations graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: