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2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

85 Ranked Colleges
4,203 Degrees Awarded
$9,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 4,203 people earned their degree in public relations, advertising, and applied communication, making the major the 170th most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 85 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public relations, advertising, and applied communication. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public relations, advertising, and applied communication programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public relations, advertising, and applied communication program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication (Income $0-$30k)

1
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Georgetown University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 68 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgetown did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Georgetown University is $3,077 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Georgetown Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

2
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Wazzu is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 107 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wazzu has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. It costs about $7,689 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wazzu.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Washington State University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

3
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Out of the 85 schools in the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 139 students in 2020-2021.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $4,950 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Florida State

4
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Michigan State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $6,927 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Michigan State University

5

Out of the 85 schools in the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 183 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,176 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend USF Tampa.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full USF Tampa Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

6

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 192 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNL has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $11,672 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

7
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USC also made our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend USC is $17,287 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at USC

8

The City College of New York did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This fairly large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 31 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend The City College of New York is $1,254 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at The City College of New York

9

Florida International University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. FIU is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 276 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,196 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida International University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Florida International University

10
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ball State is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 78 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State also made our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $8,273 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Ball State University

11

University of Colorado Boulder landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 404 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

CU - Boulder not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend CU - Boulder is $13,141 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at CU - Boulder

12
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

University of Houston ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.

UH also made our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for University of Houston is $10,533 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at UH

13
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Syracuse, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 117 degrees to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k list, Syracuse has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Syracuse University is $17,250 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Syracuse

14

University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is located in River Falls, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $8,438 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at UW - River Falls

15
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UO is a public institution located in Eugene, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UO also made our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for University of Oregon is $13,666 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Oregon Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

16
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

With a ranking of #16, Texas Tech University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas Tech is located in Lubbock, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

Texas Tech also made our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech University is $9,031 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Texas Tech Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

17

North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $11,835 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at North Dakota State University

18

With a ranking of #18, Colorado State University - Fort Collins did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, this large public school awarded 8 degrees to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

Colorado State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list. It costs about $11,924 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Colorado State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full Colorado State Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

19

The University of West Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 17 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for The University of West Florida is $4,288 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at The University of West Florida

20

Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. GVSU is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 169 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k list, GVSU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $10,259 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at GVSU

21
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

With a ranking of #21, University of North Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Florida is a fairly large public school situated in Jacksonville, Florida. It awarded 11 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of North Florida is $4,367 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at UNF

22
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland University is $8,949 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Oakland University

23
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. University of Mississippi is a large school located in University, Mississippi that handed out 22 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Mississippi is $7,764 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Ole Miss

24
KSU Georgia crest
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, Georgia

Kennesaw State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Kennesaw State University is a large school located in Kennesaw, Georgia that handed out 172 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KSU Georgia, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. It costs about $15,490 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend KSU Georgia.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at KSU Georgia

25
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

With a ranking of #25, Bradley University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Peoria, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

Bradley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bradley is $16,588 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Bradley Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

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