What can you do with a Public Relations degree from Iowa State University?

First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from Iowa 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? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 70%, Public Relations graduates from Iowa State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+3%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 70%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 10% 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:

View a random Public Relations graduate from Iowa State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2020 from Iowa State University with a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Corporate Communications Associate
MikeWorldWide
Nov 2020 - Apr 2021
As a Corporate Communications Associate, the role directly aligns with the knowledge and skills acquired in a Public Relations degree, utilizing communication strategies on a daily basis.

Account Coordinator, Corporate Communications
MikeWorldWide
Apr 2021 - Apr 2022
The position of Account Coordinator in Corporate Communications fully leverages the core competencies learned in Public Relations, focusing on client communication and media relations.

Account Executive, Corporate Communications
MikeWorldWide
Apr 2022 - Apr 2023
As an Account Executive in Corporate Communications, this role requires substantial application of Public Relations principles, making it directly relevant to the Bachelor's degree.

Senior Account Executive, Corporate Communications
MikeWorldWide
Apr 2023 - Apr 2024
The Senior Account Executive role in Corporate Communications utilizes advanced skills in Public Relations that are critical for managing complex communication strategies, thus making it very relevant.

Account Supervisor
MikeWorldWide
Apr 2024 - Present
The Account Supervisor position involves overseeing corporate communications efforts, requiring an in-depth understanding of Public Relations, which is directly applicable to the individual's academic background.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Public Relations degree from Iowa State University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the career paths of those who graduated with a Public Relations degree from Iowa State University, it seems like they mostly end up in roles that involve communication, marketing, and client management. A good number of graduates work in positions such as Account Executives, Marketing Managers, and Communication Specialists. These jobs require skills that align closely with the principles of public relations, like crafting messages, engaging with the media, and managing relationships, which are all things PR majors learn about in their coursework.

However, not all jobs these graduates have taken are directly relevant to public relations. Some have ventured into roles like Support Specialists or Business Development Representatives, where the focus shifts more towards sales or administrative tasks than on strategic communication and media relations. While there's often some overlap in skills—like communication and organization—the connection to their public relations education isn't as strong in those cases. Overall, while many have successfully landed in roles that utilize their PR knowledge, there are also plenty of examples where their jobs diverge from the core aspects of what a Public Relations degree typically involves.

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 Iowa State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Public Relations graduates from Iowa State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career paths of Iowa State University graduates with a degree in Public Relations, it seems like many of them start their journeys with solid entry-level jobs that are fairly relevant to PR. Most of the grads from around 2015 to 2022 have kicked things off in roles like marketing coordinators, account managers, and various positions in communications. It's pretty cool to see that some have landed at well-known agencies like FleishmanHillard, where they’ve climbed the ladder to roles like Assistant Account Executive and beyond in what looks like a promising trajectory. This suggests that their studies at Iowa State prepared them well for the PR field, leading them into jobs that actually align with their degree.

Fast forward 5 to 10 years, and many grads still seem to be thriving in public relations and communications. For example, those who started at agencies have progressed to senior roles, proving that with some hard work and a few years of experience, it’s possible to make a name for themselves. However, not everyone has stayed in the strict PR realm; some have ventured into areas like sales or even started their own businesses. Overall, most graduates appear to have found careers that are at least adjacent to their field of study, which is encouraging. While there may be a few who took a more circuitous route, the trend seems to be that Iowa State Public Relations grads are doing well and staying relevant in the job market.

How hard is a Public Relations degree from Iowa State University?

Getting a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations at Iowa State University, or really anywhere, can be a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It’s definitely not the hardest degree out there, but it does require a good amount of effort, creativity, and strong communication skills. You’ll dive into topics like writing, media relations, and strategic communication, which can be fun but also challenging if you're not super into that stuff. Overall, if you stay organized, engage with your coursework, and pick up on the trends in the media, you should be able to handle it just fine. So, if you’re passionate about the subject, it shouldn’t feel overwhelmingly tough!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Relations.

Do Public Relations graduates from Iowa State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Public Relations grads from Iowa State University, it seems like most of them have been able to climb the career ladder pretty well since their early jobs. The ones working in marketing and communications have moved into roles like Account Manager and Senior Account Executive, which typically come with decent pay, particularly as they gain more experience. Some of them have been with the same company for several years, suggesting stability and possibly good salary increases over time. Others branched out into different areas, like an Athletic Equipment Manager, which might not pay as much, but still shows a commitment to growing in their fields. Overall, I'd say they're probably doing alright financially, especially if they're in those higher-level positions, but it could vary depending on the specific industries and roles each of them has chosen.

What buzzwords do Public Relations graduates use to describe themselves?

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 Iowa State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Public Relations?

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:

College Score Count
Boston University 85 11
University of Central Florida 75 13
University of Oregon 74 13
The University of Georgia 73 15
Georgia Southern University 73 10
California State University-Dominguez Hills 73 11
Iowa State University 70 10
Florida International University 69 20
University of Alabama 69 13
University of South Carolina 67 16
University of South Carolina-Columbia 67 13
Lee University 66 12
Grand Valley State University 63 14
Auburn University 63 16
Hofstra University 62 14
Texas Tech University 61 26
Kennesaw State University 61 16
Suffolk University 61 13
University of South Florida 59 10
The University of Alabama 57 19
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 57 14
Penn State University 56 33
The University of Texas at Austin 55 22
The University of Texas at Arlington 55 11
California State University, Fullerton 55 11
Texas State University 54 18
Rowan University 53 10
University of Florida 52 35
Ball State University 52 10
University of North Florida 52 12
DePaul University 51 20
Northern Kentucky University 51 10
Illinois State University 50 13
University of Oklahoma 50 16
West Virginia University 47 10