Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 72 schools to find the best for public relations, advertising, & applied communication students.
Choosing a Great Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication School
The public relations, advertising, & applied communication program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication
Georgetown University tops our 2027 ranking of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 96 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Georgetown University earn around $91,362 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Georgetown University
University Of Delaware came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Delaware awarded about 41 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $54,155 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at University Of Delaware
University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 128 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from University Of Southern California earn around $50,338 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,251 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication from University Of Southern California
Washington State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the town of Pullman. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 61 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $45,820 in their early career. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Washington State University
A rank of #5 makes Colorado State University Fort Collins one of the top schools for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Colorado State University Fort Collins awarded about 10 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $51,693 in their early career. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. About 317 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $66,246 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,433 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication from University Of Colorado Boulder
Marist College came in at #7 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. About 80% of students finish within six years. Marist College awarded about 34 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Marist College earn a median of $70,802 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Marist College
Chapman University earned the #8 position for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. About 82% of students finish within six years. Chapman University awarded about 37 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Chapman University earn around $40,141 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,625.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Chapman University
Texas Christian University landed the #9 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. About 85% of students finish within six years. Texas Christian University awarded about 147 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $48,053 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,148 to complete this degree.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Texas Christian University
Florida State University placed #10 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 163 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Florida State University earn around $46,391 in the first couple years of their career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $13,849 in student loans.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Florida State University
University Of Arkansas placed #11 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. University Of Arkansas graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 122 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $52,555 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,019.
Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at University Of Arkansas
Michigan State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 64 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Michigan State University earn around $45,158 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,899 to complete this degree.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Michigan State University
Syracuse University landed the #13 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $58,798 early in their careers. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Syracuse University
Pepperdine University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Pepperdine University awarded about 26 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $45,988 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Pepperdine University
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 200 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,105. Students borrow a median of $17,082 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at University Of South Florida Main Campus
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #16 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 117 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $42,168 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Texas Tech University placed #17 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 80 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,074. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Texas Tech University
Ithaca College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ithaca. About 76% of students finish within six years. Ithaca College awarded about 37 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Ithaca College earn around $39,446 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Ithaca College
Utah Valley University earned the #19 position for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 177 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Utah Valley University in the most recent year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Utah Valley University
Rowan University came in at #20 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glassboro. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $35,116 in their early career. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans.
Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Rowan University
Boise State University landed the #21 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 14 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Boise State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $43,876. Students borrow a median of $22,977 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Boise State University
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Michigan Dearborn graduates 58% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Dearborn awarded about 15 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $62,536 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,516.
More information about a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication from University Of Michigan Dearborn
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #23 position for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn around $46,039 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #24 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 28 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $40,178 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,329 to complete this degree.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Missouri State University Springfield
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #25 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 19 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete this degree.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Minnesota State University Mankato
Rest of the Top 50 Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public relations, advertising, & applied communication ranking:
Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Related Rankings by Major
Explore other rankings in majors related to Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 72 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
