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Public Relations Degree in Little Rock, AR — Salary & ROI 2026

Public Relations degree analysis for Little Rock, AR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$43K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$61K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

7.3 yrs

in Little Rock

Cost of Living

85

index (100 = avg)

Public Relations in Little Rock, AR Overview

Little Rock is one of Arkansas's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 18,659. Public tuition averages $9,312/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Public Relations enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Media Relations and Crisis Communication. The adjusted starting salary in Little Rock is approximately $42,500.

Category

Communications

Local Colleges

24

Public Tuition

$9,312/yr

Private Tuition

$13,320/yr

Room & Board

$13,863/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$15,402/yr

Unemployment

4.6%

Graduation Rate

49%

Public Relations Salary in Little Rock (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Little Rock's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,500($-7,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$61,200($-10,800 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$78,200($-13,800 vs national)

Note: National average Public Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Little Rock adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.

Public Relations ROI Calculator for Little Rock

Estimate your return on investment for a Public Relations degree using local Little Rock tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $13,320

Little Rock avg aid: $15,402/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$92,700

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$12,750

vs HS diploma in Little Rock

ROI Payback Period

7.3 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Little Rock

$264,300

Lifetime earnings premium ($357,000) minus total education cost ($92,700)

Student Loan Payoff for Public Relations in Little Rock

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$92,700
Monthly Payment$1,053
Total Interest$33,611
% of Monthly Income30%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$92,700
Monthly Payment$1,814
Total Interest$16,127
Interest Savings$17,484

Colleges in Little Rock for Public Relations

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

public

$9,312/yr

$37,248 total

Philander Smith University

private

$13,320/yr

$53,280 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Pulaski Technical College

$3,800/yr

Top Employers for Public Relations in Little Rock

Little Rock offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Public Relations graduates. National top employers in this field include:

EdelmanWeber ShandwickFleishmanHillardBCWOgilvy

Key Little Rock Hiring Sectors for Communications

Media companies

PR agencies

Tech companies

Marketing firms

Publishing

Common Public Relations Job Titles

PR SpecialistCommunications ManagerMedia Relations Director

Public Relations Degree in Little Rock — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Public Relations ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Little Rock.

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