Top Education PR Agency Options Compared | PR.plus
Your institution's story deserves to be heard. The right education PR agency can make that happen, boosting enrollment and reputation.
Finding the right education PR agency can feel overwhelming. Many schools and EdTech companies look for alternatives to expensive retainers and slow-moving traditional firms. They need to get their news out quickly and affordably. At PR.plus, we offer a solution: guaranteed placements on AP News and 500+ other outlets with a 48-hour turnaround, all at a flat, predictable rate.
What Does an Education PR Agency Do?
An education PR agency helps schools, universities, and EdTech companies build their reputation and communicate with students, parents, and stakeholders. Their primary goal is to generate positive media coverage and manage public perception.
Key services often include:
Media Relations: Building relationships with journalists to secure coverage in relevant publications.
Strategic Communications: Developing messaging that aligns with an institution's goals, such as increasing enrollment.
Content Creation: Crafting press releases, articles, and case studies that highlight achievements. Learn how to write a press release for maximum impact.
Crisis Management: Handling negative events swiftly to protect the institution's reputation.
Thought Leadership: Positioning faculty and executives as experts in their fields.
These activities work together to create a strong, positive brand image. Explore our PR pricing to see how affordable targeted outreach can be.
How to Choose the Right Education PR Agency
Selecting the best partner requires careful thought. Here’s a quick checklist to guide your decision:
✅ Relevant Experience: Have they worked with institutions or companies similar to yours? Ask for case studies.
✅ Media Network: Do their connections align with your target audience (e.g., education trade journals, tech blogs, local news)?
✅ Clear Pricing: Do they offer transparent pricing, or is it a confusing retainer model?
✅ Defined Results: What do they promise? Be wary of vague guarantees. Look for specifics, like guaranteed placements.
Pro Tip: Don't just focus on the biggest agency names. Sometimes a more agile service that guarantees distribution, like PR.plus, can deliver faster, more predictable results for key announcements.
Feature | PR.plus | Traditional Agency (e.g., FINN Partners) | Boutique Agency (e.g., CB&A) |
|---|---|---|---|
Pricing Model | Flat-Rate Packages (from $147) | Monthly Retainer ($5k - $20k+) | Monthly Retainer ($3k - $10k+) |
Guaranteed Placements | ✅ Yes (AP News, 500+ Outlets) | ❌ No (Best effort basis) | ❌ No (Best effort basis) |
Turnaround Time | 6-48 Hours | Weeks to Months | Weeks |
Writing & SEO Included | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (within retainer) | ✅ Yes (within retainer) |
Best For | Specific Announcements & SEO | Long-Term Strategy & Branding | Niche Market Expertise |
Contract Required | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Usually 6-12 months) | ✅ Yes (Usually 3-6 months) |
PR.plus
FINN Partners
C. Blohm & Associates (CB&A)
RH Strategic
Walker Sands
5WPR
Uproar PR
Matter Communications
Firebrand Communications
BIGfish Communications
Brownstein Group
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PR+ Advantage
Guaranteed Media Placements
Boost School & EdTech SEO
AP News Network Reach
Perfect for Program Launches
"As Seen On" Media Badges
Affordable Flat-Rate Pricing
Fast 48-Hour Turnaround
Comparing 12 Top Education PR Agencies
Choosing the right partner to share your story is crucial. Below, we compare some of the leading education PR agencies to help you make an informed decision.
1. PR.plus
PR.plus offers a modern, efficient alternative to traditional PR agencies. Designed for speed and impact, our model is perfect for schools, universities, and EdTech startups that need guaranteed media coverage without the high cost of a retainer. We handle everything from writing and SEO optimization to distribution across a network of 500+ outlets, including AP News. With transparent pricing and a full distribution list available online, you know exactly what you're getting.
Pros:
Guaranteed placements on major news sites.
Extremely fast turnaround (under 48 hours).
Affordable, flat-rate packages with no retainers.
Professional writing and SEO are included at no extra cost.
Cons:
Does not offer long-term strategic consulting or campaign management.
Primarily focused on press release distribution rather than full-service PR.
2. FINN Partners
FINN Partners is a large, global public relations firm with a dedicated practice for education. They work with a range of clients, from K-12 districts to universities and educational technology companies. Their services are comprehensive, covering everything from media relations to crisis communications and digital marketing. They are known for their deep industry expertise and strategic approach.
Pros:
Deep expertise in the global education sector.
Offers a full suite of integrated marketing and PR services.
Cons:
Services come at a high price point, typically requiring significant retainers.
May not be as agile or fast-moving as smaller, specialized firms.
3. C. Blohm & Associates (CB&A)
C. Blohm & Associates is a boutique agency that has specialized in the education market for over two decades. They have strong relationships with education trade media and influencers. CB&A focuses on creating strategic communication plans for companies in the K-12, higher education, and corporate training markets. They are well-respected for their industry focus.
Pros:
Highly specialized in the education industry.
Strong network of education media contacts.
Cons:
Niche focus may not be suitable for clients needing broader consumer outreach.
As a traditional agency, costs are higher than distribution services.
4. RH Strategic
RH Strategic is a public relations firm that focuses on technology, government, and healthcare. Their expertise in technology makes them a strong choice for EdTech companies. They excel at telling complex stories in a way that resonates with key audiences, including investors, educators, and policymakers. Their services include media relations, content marketing, and public affairs.
Pros:
Strong focus on technology, ideal for EdTech clients.
Expertise in regulated industries.
Cons:
Less focused on the traditional education (K-12, university) sector.
Retainer-based model can be expensive.
5. Walker Sands
Walker Sands is a PR and digital marketing agency for B2B technology companies. While not exclusively an education agency, their portfolio includes numerous EdTech clients. They are known for their data-driven approach, integrating PR with digital marketing services like SEO and demand generation to deliver measurable business results.
Pros:
Integrated approach combining PR with digital marketing.
Strong experience with B2B and SaaS business models.
Cons:
Services are geared towards B2B tech, less so for non-profit schools or universities.
Comprehensive services come with a premium price tag.
6. 5WPR
5WPR is a large, full-service PR agency with a practice group dedicated to education and nonprofit clients. They handle PR for schools, universities, and educational platforms. Their large size allows them to secure placements in a wide range of national consumer and business media outlets, going beyond the typical education trade publications.
Pros:
Strong connections to mainstream national media.
Offers a broad range of PR and digital services.
Cons:
The large agency model can be less personal.
Can be more expensive than specialized boutique agencies.
7. Uproar PR
Uproar PR is a tech-focused agency that often works with EdTech startups. They are skilled at launching new products and securing coverage in major tech and business publications. Their approach is designed to drive brand recognition and support growth for innovative companies, making them a good fit for disruptive EdTech brands.
Pros:
Expertise in product launches and tech media.
Focus on achieving high-impact media coverage.
Cons:
Limited experience with traditional K-12 or higher education institutions.
Their model is built around ongoing campaigns, not one-off announcements.
8. Matter Communications
Matter is an integrated PR, marketing, and creative agency with experience in the EdTech sector. They combine media relations with social media, content creation, and digital marketing to create comprehensive campaigns. Their focus is on telling a brand's story across multiple channels to engage different audiences effectively.
Pros:
Offers a wide range of integrated services.
Strong creative and content production capabilities.
Cons:
May not have the deep, niche focus of a purely education-focused agency.
Their integrated model is best suited for larger budgets.
9. Firebrand Communications
Firebrand is a communications agency that focuses specifically on the education and special needs markets. They have deep roots in the K-12 and higher education sectors, helping organizations communicate effectively with educators, administrators, and parents. They are known for their strategic and thoughtful approach to education communications.
Pros:
Deep specialization in K-12 and higher education.
Understands the nuances of communicating within the education ecosystem.
Cons:
A smaller firm, they may have limited capacity.
Less focused on the high-growth, venture-backed EdTech space.
10. BIGfish Communications
BIGfish is a PR agency that works with innovative companies, including those in the EdTech space. They focus on launching new technologies and building brand awareness through creative campaigns and media relations. Their strength lies in securing placements in top-tier consumer and tech media outlets.
Pros:
Excellent at launching new consumer-facing technologies.
Creative and unconventional campaign ideas.
Cons:
Broader tech focus means less specialization in education policy or pedagogy.
Retainer model may not be a fit for all budgets.
11. Brownstein Group
Brownstein Group is a full-service brand communications agency that has worked with several universities and educational institutions. Their work often focuses on brand strategy, advertising, and public relations to drive enrollment and build institutional prestige. They take a holistic view of a brand's communication needs.
Pros:
Expertise in brand strategy and advertising.
Full-service capabilities for large-scale campaigns.
Cons:
PR is just one part of their broader service offering.
Higher cost associated with a full-service branding agency.
12. Stanton
Stanton provides corporate and financial communications services and has a practice area that includes education clients. They are particularly strong in reputation management, crisis communications, and thought leadership for institutional leaders. They help schools and universities navigate complex communication challenges.
Pros:
Strong in corporate communications and reputation management.
Expertise in handling sensitive or complex issues.
Cons:
Less focused on product PR or EdTech launches.
Services are geared towards institutional and corporate needs.
The Rise of EdTech and Its Unique PR Needs
The global EdTech market is booming, with investments reaching billions of dollars annually. According to reports from sources like HolonIQ, the industry's growth shows no signs of slowing. However, this rapid expansion creates a crowded marketplace where getting noticed is a major challenge. An effective EdTech PR strategy is no longer a luxury; it's a necessity. Unlike traditional school communications, EdTech PR must appeal to multiple audiences simultaneously: educators who use the product, administrators who purchase it, parents who approve it, and investors who fund it. A successful campaign requires clear messaging that highlights pedagogical value, user experience, and market potential. This is where targeted press releases for product launches, funding rounds, and partnerships become critical tools for building momentum and credibility.
Building a School Communications Strategy That Works
For K-12 schools and universities, public relations is about more than just announcements. A robust school communications strategy is fundamental to building a trusted brand, managing reputation, and driving enrollment. This involves proactive university media relations to share faculty research, student achievements, and community initiatives. According to a study published by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), consistent communication is a key factor in alumni engagement and donor relations. Furthermore, having a crisis communication plan in place is essential for protecting the institution's reputation. By regularly sharing positive stories through reliable channels, schools can build a bank of goodwill that serves them well in both good times and bad, ensuring their narrative is heard and respected.
Our process is designed for speed and simplicity. We handle the complexities of PR so you can focus on running your institution.
Guaranteed Media Placements
Boost School & EdTech SEO
AP News Network Reach
Measuring the ROI of Your Education PR Efforts
How do you know if your PR investment is paying off? While a feature in a major publication is a great win, the true ROI of education PR goes deeper. Key performance indicators (KPIs) should include not just media mentions but also tangible business outcomes. One of the most significant benefits is the SEO impact. Press releases distributed through networks like AP News generate high-authority backlinks, which can dramatically improve your website's search engine ranking. Other metrics to track include referral traffic from news articles, increases in organic search traffic for your brand name, and lead generation from "contact us" or "request a demo" forms. By connecting PR activities to these metrics, you can demonstrate a clear return on investment that supports both communication and business goals.
Why Choose PR.plus?
PR.plus delivers what education institutions and EdTech startups need most. We offer speed, affordability, and guaranteed results. Forget expensive retainers and long waits. Get your story written, distributed, and published on major news sites in under 48 hours. We make high-impact PR accessible.
Our Education PR Services
We provide a complete, end-to-end press release service tailored for the education sector. From professional writing and optimization to widespread distribution, we handle it all.
- Press Release Writing & SEO Polishing - EdTech & University Announcements - Guaranteed Media Distribution - "As Seen On" Media Badge Creation - Transparent Placement Reporting
