College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid

86 Ranked Colleges
4,203 Degrees Awarded
$14,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication is the 170th most popular major in the country with 4,203 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 86 colleges that offered a degree in public relations, advertising, and applied communication. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public relations, advertising, and applied communication programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The City College of New York. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid list. 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 estimated yearly cost for The City College of New York is $2,805 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full The City College of New York Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

2

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #2 spot on the list. UNL is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 192 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $17,013 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, 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 85%.

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

3

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 183 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of South Florida - Main Campus is $8,346 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

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

4
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Florida State University is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 139 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees 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 estimated yearly cost for Florida State is $9,946 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.

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

5
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Houston. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid list. UH is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 33 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UH is $13,721 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students with aid.

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 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UH Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

6

Florida International University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Florida International University is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 276 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Florida International University is $5,298 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.

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

7
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Pullman, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 107 students in 2020-2021.

Wazzu also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washington State University is $15,300 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

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

8
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

With a ranking of #8, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Ball State is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 78 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,765 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid per year to attend Ball State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Ball State University

9
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Oregon 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 yearly cost to attend UO is $18,047 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

10
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Texas Tech is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 80 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid list, Texas Tech has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech is $16,194 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Texas Tech

11
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 6 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $19,058 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

12

The University of West Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. UWF is a fairly large public school situated in Pensacola, Florida. 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 $7,089 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

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

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in River Falls, Wisconsin, and it awarded 64 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $13,844 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

14

North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 25 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,998 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

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%.

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

15

Colorado State University - Fort Collins ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Colorado State is a large school located in Fort Collins, Colorado that handed out 8 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

Colorado State also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Colorado State is $18,679 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Colorado State

16
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Georgetown is located in Washington, District of Columbia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid list, Georgetown has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Georgetown is $32,108 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Georgetown University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

17
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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Kennesaw, Georgia, this large public school awarded 172 degrees to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

KSU Georgia also took the #17 spot in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend KSU Georgia is $18,522 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 KSU Georgia

18

Grand Valley State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid list. GVSU is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 169 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

GVSU also took the #23 spot in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. It costs about $17,356 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students with aid per year to attend GVSU.

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%.

Full Grand Valley State University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

19

University of Colorado Boulder landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Colorado Boulder is a public institution located in Boulder, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 404 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid list, CU - Boulder has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. It costs about $20,967 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students with aid per year to attend University of Colorado Boulder.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full CU - Boulder Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

20

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid list. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a fairly large school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 28 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is $14,687 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

Full University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

21
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Jacksonville, Florida 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 11 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Florida is $8,865 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 University of North Florida

22

Universidad del Sagrado Corazon ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Sagrado is located in Santurce, and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 118 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Sagrado is $13,034 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Universidad del Sagrado Corazon Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

23
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Bellevue University is $17,288 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Bellevue University

24
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 23 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland is $13,449 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakland Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

24
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi

With a ranking of #24, University of Mississippi did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in University, Mississippi, and it awarded 22 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ole Miss is $12,161 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Ole Miss Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options