by our College Data Analytics Team
[Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/advertising/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong advertising education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for advertising students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in advertising, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in advertising, no school beat Kean University this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Advertising graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Early-career advertising graduates make about $48,705. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in advertising, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $23,250. Early-career advertising graduates make about $61,463. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Ball State University one of the best values for advertising. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,879 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $38,020. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values for advertising. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $21,817. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Sacred Heart came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value advertising schools. Located in the city of Santurce, University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. 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 $24,742. That is a strong return on a $12,375 median debt. University Of Sacred Heart admits about 58% of applicants.
Texas Tech University earned the #6 position for value in advertising this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Advertising graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Advertising graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $59,124 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #7 spot for advertising value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $20,995. Early-career advertising graduates make about $54,561. Set against $20,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University earned the #8 position for value in advertising this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $23,899 to complete the advertising program here. Advertising graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $23,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon earned the #9 position for value in advertising this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $21,500. Advertising graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $66,763 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama earned the #10 position for value in advertising this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $42,445. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rowan University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value advertising schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $35,116. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Boston University earned the #12 position for value in advertising this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $73,982. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Temple University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value advertising schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $26,000. Advertising graduates of Temple University earn a median of $41,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
St Johns University New York placed #14 among the best values for advertising. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,529. Advertising graduates carry a median of $26,848 in student loans. Advertising graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $48,959 early in their careers. Set against $26,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
George Washington University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value advertising schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,569. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 47%.
University Of Miami ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value advertising schools. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the advertising program here. Early-career advertising graduates make about $43,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Syracuse University earned the #17 position for value in advertising this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $62,662. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Emerson College came in at #18 for value in advertising this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,056. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Emerson College generally make around $28,606. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emerson College admits about 51% of applicants.
School Of Visual Arts came in at #19 for value in advertising this year. School Of Visual Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $51,400. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the advertising program here. Advertising graduates of School Of Visual Arts earn a median of $91,346 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. School Of Visual Arts admits about 93% of applicants.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Advertising rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.