2027 Best Value Advertising Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/advertising/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 71 schools to find the best return on investment for advertising students.
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2027 Best Value Advertising Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in advertising, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Advertising Schools
For return on investment in advertising, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $17,439. Advertising graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,099 early in their careers. Set against $17,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for advertising. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,439 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $42,099. That is a strong return on a $17,439 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #3 place for advertising. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $17,082. Advertising graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Set against $17,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Students looking for strong value in advertising will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #4. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $37,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in advertising will find it at Ferris State University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $22,580. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $54,608. That is a strong return on a $22,580 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
San Jose State University earned the #6 position for value in advertising this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University landed the #7 spot for advertising value this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Advertising graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $38,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Georgia placed #8 among the best values for advertising. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,787 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $45,326. That is a strong return on a $21,787 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value advertising schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $48,063. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #10 among the best values for advertising. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $22,000. Early-career advertising graduates make about $33,280. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Memphis came in at #11 for value in advertising this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $25,000. Early-career advertising graduates make about $39,819. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Washington State University came in at #12 for value in advertising this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $45,820. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University came in at #13 for value in advertising this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $35,534. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #14 spot for advertising value this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,270 in student loans. Early-career advertising graduates make about $34,736. Set against $25,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #15 position for value in advertising this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Advertising graduates carry a median of $20,718 in student loans. Early-career advertising graduates make about $45,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Houston came in at #16 for value in advertising this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $23,800. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Set against $23,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #17 spot for advertising value this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the advertising program here. Early-career advertising graduates make about $46,039. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #18 position for value in advertising this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $11,975. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $51,436. Set against $11,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value advertising schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete the advertising program here. Advertising graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $38,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Montclair State University placed #20 among the best values for advertising. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the advertising program here. Advertising graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $44,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Western Michigan University landed the #21 spot for advertising value this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $37,718. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #22 among the best values for advertising. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Advertising graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Advertising graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Sacred Heart placed #23 among the best values for advertising. Set in the city of Santurce, University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410. Advertising graduates carry a median of $12,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Sacred Heart generally make around $13,085. That is a strong return on a $12,375 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for advertising value this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Advertising graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $39,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value advertising schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Advertising graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career advertising graduates make about $36,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Advertising Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s advertising value ranking:
Other Advertising Degree Levels
Explore the best-value advertising schools at other degree levels:
View All Advertising Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
