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First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from Ball State University 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 52%, Public Relations graduates from Ball State University have a much lower likelihood (-15%) 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 30% 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 Public Relations graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 33% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2014 from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Relations. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONMarketing & Promotions Director Adams Radio Group Jun 2014 - May 2015 Business Assistant  Heartland Dental Jul 2015 - Mar 2016 Branch Office Administrator  Edward Jones Mar 2016 - Feb 2017 Business Support Coordinator Parkview Health Feb 2017 - Jan 2021 Safety Coordinator Parkview Health Jan 2021 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
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 paths of people who’ve graduated with a Public Relations degree from Ball State University, it seems like they end up in a mix of roles. A lot of them find themselves in marketing-related positions, such as Marketing Directors or Communications Coordinators, which definitely tap into their PR skills. Those roles often involve managing how companies are perceived and crafting effective communication strategies, making them pretty relevant to their studies. However, there are also quite a few graduates who end up in jobs that are only loosely connected to public relations, like sales roles or administrative positions. For example, some worked as Sales Representatives or Office Administrators, where the core responsibilities don’t really draw on PR principles.
In general, while some graduates are leveraging their PR expertise in roles that truly require those skills, a significant number are in positions where public relations knowledge isn’t the primary focus. It’s a bit of a mixed bag; many are doing valuable work that relies on communication and relationship-building skills, which are crucial in PR, but others are in roles that feel more like they could have been filled by anyone, degree or not. So, if you’re thinking about pursuing a degree in Public Relations, keep in mind that it can lead to some really relevant opportunities, but there might be some detours along the way too!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Public Relations graduates (this is across all Public Relations graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Ball State University):
So, looking at the career paths of graduates from Ball State University's Public Relations program, it seems like there's a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to what they end up doing after school. Right after graduation, a lot of them land roles in marketing and promotions, which is pretty relevant to their degrees. For example, many started with positions as interns or in entry-level jobs, like public relations interns and marketing coordinators. As they gain experience, some find their footing in more specialized roles in marketing and communication or even shift into supervisory positions or account management, especially within companies related to marketing and PR, like Outreach Promos and Targeted Victory.
However, not everyone sticks to the PR track. Some graduates seem to drift into unrelated fields, such as sales or administrative roles, which indicates that while they may start off on a relevant career trajectory, they don’t always end up there five or ten years later. By that time, many have taken on managerial or project management roles, but the variety in job types suggests that the path isn’t always straightforward. Overall, it looks like those with a focus on marketing and digital content tend to have better success in landing PR-related careers as they advance, while others might find themselves in more varied fields that aren't directly tied to their degree. It's a reminder that the job market can be unpredictable, but with the right experience and networking, many still find their way back to PR-related work.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, whether at Ball State University or elsewhere, can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. Generally, it’s not considered one of the hardest degrees out there, especially compared to fields like engineering or chemistry. You’ll find that a lot of the coursework involves writing, communication, and understanding media strategies, which can be more manageable if you enjoy being creative and engaging with people. However, it does require solid project management skills and a knack for critical thinking, especially when it comes to handling real-world case studies and group projects. So, if you’re motivated and willing to put in the effort, it’s definitely doable! Just be prepared for some late nights working on projects and presentations.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Relations.
Looking at the career paths of these Ball State University grads in Public Relations, it seems like they've had a pretty decent ride overall. Most started with entry-level jobs or internships, which is totally normal, but many have moved into roles like Account Executive, Project Manager, and Social Media Manager, which typically offer better pay and more responsibility. For example, those in marketing and project management positions usually see their salaries climb pretty nicely over time. While some might not have hit the big bucks yet, it does look like many are on a solid trajectory toward making decent money as they gain experience and climb the ladder. So, if you're thinking about a career in PR, there’s a pretty good chance you could end up doing well!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Public Relations (this is across all Public Relations graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Ball State University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Public Relations (ordered by the average relevance score of their Public Relations graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
