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The �������Ƶ’s public relations program is No. 3 in the nation.

That’s according to College Choice, a website that helps students select what college or university best matches their intended career paths.

Public relations professionals craft messaging for corporations, hospitals, government agencies, elected officials and nonprofit organizations. They write speeches, press releases and social media posts, and work with media organizations to advance their employers’ public profiles.

UL Lafayette’s No. 3 ranking on College Choice’s list places it between the University of Florida at No. 2 and the University of Texas at Austin at No. 4. The University of Southern California took the top slot.

In ranking the “30 Best Public Relations Degrees,” the website’s editors said they first examined each undergraduate program in the U.S.

“We narrowed our list by incorporating crucial key factors, such as reputation and retention,” which reflects student satisfaction, the editors wrote. They also considered tuition rates and average graduate salaries to determine what programs provide a good return on investment.

In addition, the website used data from the National Center for Education Statistics and “U.S. News and World Report,” which this year ranked UL Lafayette among the nation’s top 25 schools where students are eager to enroll.

The University’s public relations program provides students with “critical hands-on experience,” the website reported. It also lauded the program’s faculty for its willingness to collaborate with students and the career experiences they bring into the classroom.

The program is offered by the University’s Department of Communication.

Find more about UL Lafayette’s public relations program at .

Photo caption: Public relations students discuss an assignment in Burke-Hawthorne Hall. (Photo credit: Doug Dugas / �������Ƶ)