Public Relations Degree Programs in Greensboro, NC (2026)

Quick answer: The Greensboro metro employs about 490 public relations specialists (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through target employers on the experience they weight.

Compare public relations programs enrolling now:

Licensing

Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Public relations is not licensed. Voluntary accreditation marks exist for experienced practitioners and employers genuinely vary in the weight they give them; early-career hiring runs on writing samples, internships and media placements.

See the North Carolina licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with target employers on the experience they weight.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 1 school within 104 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 1 of them carries a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC 103.7 miles away BOC Score 69.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 73.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 20
  • Annual completions: 933
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,010 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

What Public Relations Specialists Earn in Greensboro

Public Relations Specialists in the Greensboro area earn a median $62,580 per year, below the national median of $74,750 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Public Relations Pay in Greensboro, NC

MetricGreensboro metroNorth CarolinaNational
Median annual wage$62,580$67,230$74,750
10th percentile$40,070$39,840$44,110
25th percentile$47,830$51,530$56,260
75th percentile$77,930$89,990$100,370
90th percentile$101,020$136,450$135,150
Employment4909,910283,380
Location quotient0.74-1.00

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Greensboro-High Point, NC metropolitan statistical area.

What the Numbers Say About This Market

The Greensboro median of $62,580 is below the national median of $74,750, and below the North Carolina statewide median of $67,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

The metro’s location quotient of 0.74 means public relations specialists are less concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.

PR employment tracks organizational headquarters - corporate, agency, government and institutional - and regulated industries support specialist roles well outside the biggest media markets.

Other North Carolina Metro Areas

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Charlotte$75,1902,470
Raleigh$68,7902,330
Durham$76,9701,090
Winston$61,580430
Asheville$58,970400
Wilmington$63,620340
Hickory$58,270180
Fayetteville$77,500170

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.


Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do public relations specialists make in Greensboro?

The median annual wage for public relations specialists in the Greensboro-High Point, NC metro area is $62,580, below the national median of $74,750 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

How many public relations specialists work in the Greensboro area?

The Greensboro-High Point, NC metro area employs about 490 public relations specialists (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Do public relations specialists in Greensboro need a license?

Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Public relations is not licensed. Voluntary accreditation marks exist for experienced practitioners and employers genuinely vary in the weight they give them; early-career hiring runs on writing samples, internships and media placements. Confirm current requirements with target employers on the experience they weight.

Can I study public relations online from Greensboro?

The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies target employers on the experience they weight.

Is Greensboro a better market than the rest of North Carolina?

The Greensboro metro median is $62,580 against a statewide median of $67,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.