Is Public Relations a Hard Major? What Students Should Know in 2026

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Public relations is often seen as a demanding major, balancing creativity with strategic communication. While some perceive it as less challenging than STEM fields, public relations involves complex tasks such as crisis management and media analysis. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, enrollment in communication-related programs, including public relations, has increased by about 15% over the past decade, highlighting growing interest and evolving academic standards.

This article explores the academic rigor, typical workload, and essential skills required for succeeding in public relations. It also considers how factors like prior experience and personal aptitude impact whether students find the major particularly challenging or manageable.

Key Benefits of Public Relations as a Major

Public relations develops communication and strategic thinking skills, essential for various career paths and beneficial for career changers adapting to new industries.
The major offers flexible learning, supporting full-time workers returning to school through practical assignments and real-world case studies.
Traditional undergraduates gain confidence managing challenging coursework while accessing networking opportunities crucial for professional growth in the evolving media landscape.

Where Does Public Relations Rank Among the Hardest College Majors?

Public relations is generally ranked among the less challenging college majors in national surveys and college ranking platforms. It often falls into categories considered easier compared to fields like engineering, computer science, or pre-med.

Key factors influencing these rankings include the relatively moderate weekly study hours-around 12 hours according to CollegeVine's 2025 data-and the lower demand for intensive technical skills, advanced mathematics, or extensive lab work.

While public relations programs emphasize communication theory, media strategy, and writing, they usually require minimal time in practicum or fieldwork settings, which are less strenuous than labs or clinical rotations found in harder majors.

However, the difficulty of public relations varies depending on the school and individual student abilities. Those with strengths in writing and interpersonal communication may find public relations less daunting than majors with heavy technical or analytical components.

For instance, it is typically easier than biology or mechanical engineering but aligns closely in challenge level with fields like business administration or psychology. Ultimately, perceived difficulty depends on personal aptitude and how well a student's skills match the curricular demands of their chosen major.

What Factors Make Public Relations a Hard Major?

Public relations as a major challenges students with both demanding academic and practical skill requirements that many find difficult to balance. The competitive environment and rigorous curriculum necessitate a strong commitment and diverse expertise.

Extensive academic requirements: The curriculum usually demands completion of at least 120 credits, with over 40 credits at an advanced level (300-level or above), encompassing courses in media industries, communication law, visual design, and analytics. This depth reflects the academic requirements for public relations majors, ensuring students gain a well-rounded yet specialized education.
High time commitment: Many students must complete a minor alongside their major, increasing workload and requiring effective time management. Internships and professional experiences are often mandatory, adding real-world demands that intensify the overall challenge.
Technical and analytical complexity: Coursework involves research, data analysis, and strategy development. Classes such as communication research methods and analytics require strong critical thinking and quantitative reasoning to interpret complex communication challenges.
Advanced writing and communication skills: Students must master persuasive writing, crisis communication, and cross-platform messaging to a professional standard before graduation, reflecting the demanding skill set needed in the field.

Programs often have intense admissions processes reflecting the competitive public relations program admissions landscape, emphasizing both academic excellence and practical experience. For those considering further study options, exploring a one year masters program can be an efficient next step.

Who Is a Good Fit for a Public Relations Major?

Understanding who is best suited for a public relations major is essential for students to succeed in this dynamic field. Identifying the best personality traits for public relations majors helps individuals navigate the program's workload and excel in their careers.

Strong Communicators: Students with excellent communication and writing skills thrive by clearly expressing ideas and engaging diverse viewpoints, which aligns well with coursework centered around messaging and public engagement.
Organized and Adaptable: Those who are disciplined and flexible manage the fast-paced, detail-oriented demands efficiently, allowing them to handle multiple projects and shifting priorities with confidence.
Critical Thinkers: Skills needed to succeed in public relations include problem-solving and strategic thinking, as these students approach challenges with innovation and thoughtful analysis.
Empathetic and Ethical: Having empathy, integrity, and an international perspective aids students in connecting with varied audiences and understanding cultural nuances, which is vital in PR communications.
Collaborative Networkers: Students who enjoy teamwork and strategic planning gain practical experience and confidence, benefiting from group projects that mirror real-world professional environments.

For those wondering what is the easiest certification to get that pay well, enhancing these traits with professional credentials can provide a competitive edge in the public relations field.

How Can You Make a Public Relations Major Easier?

Public relations is often seen as a demanding major due to its combination of writing, research, multimedia, and campaign planning requirements. However, adopting targeted techniques can help students handle the workload and expectations more effectively.

Create consistent study routines: Regularly revisiting course content and staying engaged with assignments reduce stress and improve understanding over time.
Plan and prioritize deadlines: Using calendars and digital tools to organize project and exam dates helps manage overlapping tasks typical of public relations programs.
Strengthen core skills early: Developing persuasive writing, public speaking, and strategic research capabilities in lower-level courses builds readiness for advanced studies.
Access campus support resources: Consulting advisors, attending workshops, and participating in study groups clarify complex topics and improve work quality.
Gain hands-on experience: Involvement in internships, student agencies, or real campaigns bridges theory with practice, boosting confidence and competence.

A graduate who majored in public relations shared her experience when asked how to ease the challenges of the major. She revealed that initially, juggling multiple deadlines was overwhelming, especially while balancing group projects and presentations.

By setting small, daily goals and consistently seeking feedback from professors, she gradually gained control over her workload. She emphasized how participating in a campus media lab allowed her to experiment with different communication tools, which deepened her understanding and made classes less intimidating.

Reflecting on her journey, she noted, "It wasn't just about managing time, but learning how to translate theory into real-world skills that made the process manageable." Her story highlights that persistence and practical engagement can transform a tough public relations curriculum into a rewarding academic experience.

Are Admissions to Public Relations Programs Competitive?

Admissions to public relations programs are generally competitive due to the high number of applicants vying for limited spots and specific entry requirements. Many universities, especially large public ones or those with strong communications reputations, limit program capacity and set minimum GPA thresholds, making acceptance challenging.

For instance, some schools require at least a 3.0 GPA but still conduct competitive reviews beyond just meeting numbers.

Selectivity differs widely by institution, often depending on GPA requirements, prerequisite courses, and sometimes relevant experience in areas like writing or public speaking. Applicants typically must submit transcripts and essays, and some programs encourage coursework in statistics or communication fundamentals.

As interest in public relations grows nationwide, with thousands of degrees awarded yearly, competition remains steady at popular schools, reflecting ongoing demand for these programs.

When speaking with a professional who majored in public relations, he described the application phase as both rigorous and anxiety-inducing. "I remember carefully balancing my coursework to maintain a solid GPA while gaining practical experience through internships," he shared.

He noted that the written statements were crucial, requiring several drafts to clearly express his passion for the field. "It was tough knowing that meeting the minimum requirements wouldn't guarantee acceptance, but the challenge made the eventual admission feel truly earned."

Is an Online Public Relations Major Harder Than an On-Campus Program?

Online public relations programs are generally as challenging as on-campus ones, with difficulty hinging on individual learning preferences and course design. Neither format is inherently harder or easier, but students may experience distinct challenges based on their chosen modality.

Here is a comparison of online vs on-campus public relations program factors that influence their difficulty:

Academic expectations & workload: Both formats require rigorous coursework involving writing, campaign planning, and media analysis. Online courses may need greater self-motivation due to less direct supervision.
Work pacing: The workload is similar, but the self-directed nature of online programs can make pacing feel more intense for some students.
Interaction & support: On-campus students benefit from immediate faculty access and peer collaboration. Online learners often face less interaction unless the program promotes virtual engagement and peer connections.
Learning environment: Online programs offer flexibility and convenience but demand strong organizational skills and discipline. Campus programs provide structured schedules and networking opportunities.
Unique challenges: Reduced face-to-face interaction in online public relations majors often leads to difficulties related to organization rather than academic rigor.

For those exploring public relations, recognizing these differences can help tailor study approaches. If you wonder whats the fastest associates degree to get, consider how format impacts not just duration but learning style and workload management.

Are Accelerated Public Relations Programs Harder Than Traditional Formats?

Accelerated public relations programs are typically harder than traditional formats due to their condensed timelines and intensified course pacing, which increase the overall workload. This fast-track structure demands students to balance more frequent assignments and tighter deadlines, impacting their academic experience significantly.

Below is a comparison highlighting key differences based on the challenges of fast-track public relations programs versus traditional formats.

Course pacing and content density: Both formats cover the same academic material and credit requirements, but accelerated programs deliver content at a much faster rate, intensifying study demands.
Workload management: Students pursuing an accelerated public relations degree workload often face difficulties balancing their studies with jobs or family obligations due to less downtime and stricter schedules.
Academic expectations and skill demands: Critical thinking, writing, and campaign planning standards remain high regardless of format, requiring strong time-management and discipline.
Learning retention and stress levels: Accelerated students may experience higher stress and lower retention if unable to absorb material quickly, while traditional students benefit from more spaced learning opportunities.
Flexibility and structure: Accelerated online programs often offer asynchronous formats that allow autonomous scheduling but demand greater self-discipline; traditional programs typically provide more structured pacing and support.

For those considering enrollment, reviewing options among accredited US colleges online with no application fee can help identify programs that match personal learning styles and commitments.

Can You Manage a Part-Time Job While Majoring in Public Relations?

Students can manage a part-time job while majoring in public relations, but success varies based on course demands, weekly workload, job flexibility, and individual study habits. Public relations programs often require between 36 and 44 major-specific credits, involving assignments like writing, group projects, and media planning that are deadline-sensitive.

Those with strong time management skills and flexible employment options stand a better chance at balancing work and academics effectively.

Typically, students maintain this balance by adjusting their credit load to a manageable level and seeking jobs that accommodate fluctuating academic schedules, such as on-campus or remote positions. The public relations curriculum includes technical tasks and campaign cycles that can intensify during peak periods, making some weeks more demanding than others.

Academic support services, whether online or on campus, often assist students in staying organized and meeting deadlines. As a result, those who can prioritize tasks and adapt their workload tend to find the combination of part-time work and public relations studies more feasible than others who face heavier project or reading demands.

What Jobs Do Public Relations Majors Get, and Are They as Hard as the Degree Itself?

Career paths for public relations majors in the United States vary widely in difficulty, responsibility, and skill requirements. While some roles are as challenging as the academic major itself, others may feel less demanding or present different types of challenges.

Public Relations Specialist: This role involves managing an organization's reputation, writing press releases, and coordinating media campaigns. It generally matches the rigor of the major, demanding excellent writing, strategic thinking, and the ability to handle unpredictable deadlines and high accuracy standards. This is often considered the benchmark for evaluating public relations specialist job difficulty compared to major challenges.
Social Media Manager: Social media managers develop and execute content strategies, analyze engagement metrics, and interact with audiences digitally. Although the pace can be intense in fast-moving industries, the challenge is often more creative and responsive rather than research-focused, making it demanding in a different sense.
Event Planner: Focused on organizing promotional or corporate events, this position demands strong project management, budgeting, and interpersonal skills. It tends to be less writing-intensive and more about logistical coordination, offering a distinct type of challenge compared to the academic workload.
Corporate Communications Officer: Responsible for crafting consistent internal and external messaging, this role requires diplomacy and strategic vision to align communications with corporate goals. The pressure can be as high as the major's demands, as messaging accuracy and coordination are critical.
Copywriter: Copywriting involves producing written content for campaigns and digital media. While the workload can be heavy, deadlines and creative standards are the primary challenges, making it somewhat less unpredictable and stressful than other public relations positions.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, communications-related majors including public relations usually maintain an average GPA near 3.2, indicating a moderate academic workload-more demanding than some liberal arts fields but less intense than many STEM disciplines.

Students exploring careers for public relations majors in the United States should assess their personal strengths and interests carefully. Those seeking to balance education costs with career goals may consider options like a cheap online bachelor degree, which can offer flexibility and affordability without sacrificing quality.

Do Public Relations Graduates Earn Higher Salaries Because the Major Is Harder?

There is no clear evidence that public relations graduates earn higher salaries because their major is more difficult. Salary levels are influenced more by market demand, specific skills, and professional experience rather than the academic challenges of the major.

While public relations programs develop valuable communication and strategic thinking abilities, higher GPA requirements or course intensity do not directly translate into better pay. Employers tend to prioritize practical expertise and relevant qualifications when determining compensation.

Several factors shape earnings for public relations graduates. Industry sectors such as advertising, corporate communications, and technology often offer higher wages, with PR managers earning a median salary of about $132,870 in 2024. Entry-level specialists typically earn around $69,780, while experienced professionals or those in senior roles can earn significantly more.

Location also matters, as salaries in cities like New York or Washington often surpass $90,000 annually, compared to lower wages in states like Texas or Florida. Additionally, advanced degrees and extended field experience boost earning potential, with the top 10% of PR professionals making over $126,220 a year.

What Graduates Say About Public Relations as Their Major

Theo: "Choosing public relations as my major was definitely challenging, but the hands-on learning experiences made it incredibly rewarding. Although the average cost of attendance was steep, the skills I gained led me to a career that I'm passionate about, making every dollar worth it. I'd say it's a demanding field, but one where the payoff is huge. "

Aries: "Public relations wasn't an easy path; balancing theory with practical projects pushed me constantly. Reflecting on the investment, especially with tuition and materials, it felt substantial, but it truly shaped my ability to communicate effectively in my current role. The major is tough, but the professional growth it offers makes it invaluable. "

Anthony: "The rigor of public relations was apparent from day one, with a curriculum that required dedication and creativity. The financial commitment was notable, yet the major opened doors for me that I never imagined. From a professional standpoint, it's a hard but worthwhile major if you aim to excel in strategic communication. "

Other Things You Should Know About Public Relations Degrees

Is public relations more writing-intensive than other communication majors?

Yes, public relations involves a significant amount of writing, including press releases, speeches, and social media content. This writing is typically crafted for specific audiences and purposes, requiring clear, persuasive, and concise communication. Compared to some other communication majors, public relations places a stronger emphasis on producing targeted, strategic written content.

Does public relations require strong interpersonal skills?

Strong interpersonal skills are essential in public relations because professionals frequently interact with clients, media representatives, and the public. Collaboration and networking are key components of the curriculum and practical work, and students often engage in group projects and simulated client scenarios to build these skills.

How important is understanding marketing and social media in a public relations major?

Understanding marketing principles and social media platforms is vital in public relations. Many public relations strategies involve digital campaigns and audience engagement through social media channels, making familiarity with these tools necessary for effective communication and brand management. Coursework often integrates marketing concepts to prepare students for this aspect of the field.

Are internships a required part of a public relations major?

Internships are commonly required or highly recommended in public relations programs to provide practical experience. These opportunities allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, build professional networks, and enhance their resumes. Many programs include internship credits as part of their graduation requirements.