Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Public Relations Specialists
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Cascadia, Bellevue College, Spokane Falls Community College, and South Puget Sound Community College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Gonzaga, Eastern Washington University, Walla Walla University, and University of Washington Seattle.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Heritage, Highline Community College, South Seattle Community College, and North Seattle Community College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Grays Harbor, City University of Seattle, Peninsula College, and Spokane Falls Community College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of University of Puget Sound, Walla Walla University, Whitman College, and Gonzaga.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Walla Walla University, University of Puget Sound, Whitman College, and Seattle Pacific University.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Whitman College, University of Puget Sound, University of Washington Seattle, and Gonzaga.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Whitman College and Whitworth University.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Whitman College, University of Puget Sound, Walla Walla University, and Gonzaga.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Central Washington University • Ellensburg, WA
Studying Computer Science (completion in 2009)
• 9/14/2011
"I enjoyed my time at Central because of the people and education I received. It was an overall good experience."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | My recommendation would really depend on the major one is doing, but the experience at Central is great. The education in my major was solid. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | The program is not on the map, but it doesn't have a particularly bad reputation. I would recommend it to others. |
| Program Quality | 7 | My program was okay, some of the main instructors were subpar and couldn't teach. Overall the program taught me a lot and I had fun doing it. |
| Instruction | 7 | The quality of instruction was okay, many of the teachers spoke English as a second language and were difficult if not impossible to understand. I believe I was fully prepared for my career through the program. |
| How Difficult | 7 | It was a fairly difficult program, there was a lot of reading and some of the concepts were difficult to understand. I spent many nights working on projects and studying. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The teachers usually left little to grab on to and often weren't present at labs. The book was favored over hand-on experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | The school was losing funding so some classes could only be offered every so often if at all. Yet I never had a problem with scheduling. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The building itself was fairly old, but the computers were up to date and were well-suited to the program. The building definitely felt like home. |
| Social Life | 7 | I enjoyed the people I worked with and the staff. Everyone was always nice and helpful. |
| Placement Services | 3 | There was no job placement program at CWU. Yet it was easy to find a job in my field because of my location and because employees are in demand. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I can't say I use the alumni network and I have no idea how to get to it, so that says something about it. The school has not tried to get me interested in it either. |
Washington State University • Pullman, WA
Studying Communications (completion in 1994)
• 10/16/2011
"I enjoyed the time I spent on campus at WSU in Pullman. I made many friends, experienced PAC-10 college life, and had my skills enhanced."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | At WSU, a student interested in public relations will not only get top rate book learning, but they will also be able to experience hands-on what it is like to work in public relations. The school brings in top professionals in this industry for students to rub shoulders with and pick their brains. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | The Edward R. Murrow School of Communication at WSU consistently ranks as one of the best in the nation in its field. Being a graduate of this school automatically provides job candidates with credibility not found at other colleges. |
| Instruction | 9 | My training at Washington State University both in the classroom and in externships more than adequately prepared me for the career expectations in the workforce. My instructors provided real-life examples of what communications professionals experience. |
| How Difficult | 7 | For the students who consistently apply themselves to doing the work, this program is not that difficult. If you are not comfortable with language and its semantics, then completing a degree in communications could be challenging. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Introductory courses were more oriented toward book learning, of course. However, as the student progresses through the program, more hands-on opportunities are presented. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | WSU offers an extensive variety of times and places when and where students can take classes. The day schedule is packed. The night schedule has many offerings and the school has expanded its academic reach by establishing branch campuses throughout much of the state. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Communications students at WSU have access to state-of-the art equipment and facilities. The Holland Library system at WSU offers so many options for students to gain access to information that it is almost overwhelming to make selection. |
| Social Life | 9 | No matter what your interests are, you can find a group at WSU. From career-oriented clubs to extra-curricular sports, the options are endless. You have to choose to have a bad time. |
| Placement Services | 7 | I have never used this service as I was fortunate to find employment very quickly. However, I have heard from friends as well as recent graduates that the university's various colleges offer varying levels of career placement support. However, I have never heard any complaints. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | The school's alumni association provides regular communication in the form of a newsletter, magazine, website updates, and emails. If an alum wants to know about what is happening with WSU, it's pretty simple to access that information. |
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