The Public Relations Online program at Boise State University recently was ranked sixth in the U.S. for Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Public Relations Degrees by Online U. In addition, the program was ranked 13th out of 121 programs across the nation for Best Online Bachelor’s Public Relations Degrees by the Guide to Online Schools.
Knowing the return on investment of a specific degree and major before making a decision is key to evading insurmountable debt. Both ranking organizations used independent methodologies to make their rankings; Online U used out-of-state tuition costs to rank affordability (unless, like Boise State, all students are offered the in-state tuition rate), while Guide to Online Schools based its rankings on program tuitions and alumni-reported salaries.
Online degrees offer students the opportunity for career advancement and increased financial stability. This is especially useful in a fast-growing field like public relations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job classification of public relations and fundraising managers is forecasted to grow from 2018-2028 by 7.8 percent.
Boise State’s transparent fee structure allows students to know what expenses to expect as they pursue their online degree. All students pay in-state tuition for the online program, which contributes to its national competitiveness.
Program coaches also are available to help students navigate financial aid, scholarships, military benefits and flexible schedule options. Full and part-time options allow students to choose their own pace.
In addition, Boise State’s online public relations courses are taught by instructors who are well connected in the public relations professional community, and supported by a team of online course designers that collaborate with professors to develop engaging and thoughtful course materials. Courses are offered year-round to allow students to complete their degrees faster.
“I love talking to students about the Boise State public relations degree, especially when I hear a student describe how well the courses align with an actual career in PR,” said student success coach Scott Erikson, who recruits and coaches students through the program admissions process at Boise State. “It doesn’t surprise me at all that the degree has recently been so highly ranked.”