Oregon Communications Degrees

Click to see more online programs that are taking applications for 2024.

The University of Oregon is the lone school in the state that offers an accredited degree from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). Holding this designation means that their Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are at a high standard when compared to the rest of the United States. Majors to choose from that have been accredited are Advertising, Journalism, and Public Relations.

This school was reaccredited back in 2018, and universities will typically be accredited for a span of six years. Programs that have received this designation have shown commitment to diversity in student opportunity and faculty members, a curriculum that is continually updated and reviewed to provide the best academic experience for students, and public publishing of retention and graduation rates within the program.

Top Locations for Communications Schools and Job Opportunities in Oregon

Portland is the largest city in the state of Oregon by a significant margin - over three times more than the capital city of Salem. According to Nielsen ratings, Portland holds the 22nd-highest television market in the United States.

All major broadcasting networks have prominence in the area and are owned by various media groups, including Sinclair Broadcast Group, Meredith, and Gannett Broadcasting. There is also a large radio presence with numerous stations owned by Alpha Broadcasting, iHeartMedia, and Entercom.

The Oregonian is the largest daily newspaper that covers news, lifestyle, and culture in the city of Portland. Due to its proximity, The Columbian - based in Vancouver, Washington - also covers some stories in Portland.

Public Relations in Oregon

Blu Print Public Relations is one of the top PR companies that are available in the city of Portland, providing various services to startups and high-level Fortune 500 companies. Clients have experienced the transition to utilizing renewable resources in order to gain traction toward the climate change movement.

Other services include improving the company footprint on social media, and getting help on showcasing the best talent within the organization and improve employee morale by putting on award shows at prestigious venues. Blu Print PR is conveniently located in downtown Portland for the convenience of other local businesses.

Click to for more online communications degrees that are taking applications for 2024.

Campus-based and online Communications programs in Oregon

Oregon Journalism and Communications Careers, Salaries, and Associations

Oregon has a modest amount of employment and salary potential within the journalism industry. Combining reporting and editing information from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 1,500 positions that represent the workforce. Salaries for reporters on average are around the $49,000 figure, and editors see an additional $5,000 on top of that.

While lower than some neighboring states, like Washington and California, it is higher than many states in the Western half of the country. The Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area is the 10th-highest when compared to other locations across the United States.

There may be more opportunities for public relations specialists in neighboring states, but Oregon provides competitive salaries in the industry. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary is approximately $61,290 across the state, and that can go up to at least $104,000 for the top 10 percent in the industry.

Much of the employment falls in the Northwestern corner of the state within the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area that stretches into Washington. Salem has over 300 workers represented, and roughly half that figure in Eugene, which is home of the University of Oregon. Corvallis has one of the highest concentrations of PR specialists of any urban area in the United States.

Portland Advertising Federation

The Portland Advertising Federation (PAF) aims to improve various aspects of marketing within the community, on social media, and networking amongst other professionals in the area. Some of the events include the annual Rosey Awards that spotlights great achievements in advertising with 14 different categories.

Examples include the best advertising campaigns that create a brand identity, that flourished on social media and digital platforms, and those specifically created by nonprofits to raise a public service announcement. PAF also provides an avenue for company members an ability to post job openings and how to apply for a membership.