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2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools

87 Ranked Colleges
4,203 Degrees Awarded
$16,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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” ranking analyzed 87 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.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools

The colleges and universities below are the best for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools list. Fargo, North Dakota 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 25 students in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University also made our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University is $16,998 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students.

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%.

Full North Dakota State University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

2
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Tech University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools list. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school awarded 80 diplomas to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

Texas Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech is $16,194 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Universidad del Sagrado Corazon. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools. This small school is located in Santurce, , and it awarded 118 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Sagrado is $13,034 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students.

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%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Universidad del Sagrado Corazon

4

Out of the 87 schools in the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #4 spot on the list. UW - 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.

It costs about $13,844 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students per year to attend UW - River Falls.

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

5
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Out of the 87 schools in the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Bellevue University landed the #5 spot on the list. Bellevue University is a fairly large school located in Bellevue, Nebraska that handed out 17 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Bellevue University is $17,288 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students.

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%.

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

6

University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools list. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 192 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our public relations, advertising, and applied communication students list, UNL has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. It costs about $17,013 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students per year to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

7

Grand Valley State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools list. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 169 students in 2020-2021.

GVSU also made our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for GVSU is $17,356 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Grand Valley State University

8
KSU Georgia crest
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, Georgia

Kennesaw State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools ranking. KSU Georgia is a large public school situated in Kennesaw, Georgia. It awarded 172 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our public relations, advertising, and applied communication students list, KSU Georgia has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kennesaw State University is $18,522 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students.

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 Kennesaw State University

9
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

With a ranking of #9, University of Houston did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools list. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school handed out 33 degrees to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

UH also made our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $13,721 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students per year to attend University of Houston.

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 University of Houston

10
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools ranking. This large school is located in Pullman, Washington, and it awarded 107 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

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

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

11

With a ranking of #11, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools list. Tampa, 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 183 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $8,346 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at USF Tampa

12

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools ranking. UW Oshkosh is a fairly large public school situated in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It awarded 28 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW Oshkosh is $14,687 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at UW Oshkosh

13
Marist crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, New York

Marist College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools ranking, coming in at #13. Marist College is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Poughkeepsie, New York. It awarded 46 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marist, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. It costs about $36,709 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students per year to attend Marist College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, 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 88%.

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

14
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools ranking. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 139 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Florida State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida State University is $9,946 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

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

15

Florida International University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools list. FIU is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 276 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,298 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students per year to attend Florida International University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, 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 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

16

With a ranking of #16, West Texas A&M University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools list. West Texas A&M University is a medium-sized school located in Canyon, Texas that handed out 15 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,033 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students per year to attend West Texas A&M University.

Full West Texas A&M University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

17
Harding crest
Harding University
Searcy, Arkansas

Harding University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools ranking, coming in at #17. Harding University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Searcy, Arkansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Harding is $19,456 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

17

Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools ranking. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 9 degrees to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend MSU Moorhead is $17,680 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 Minnesota State University - Moorhead Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

19
Southern Miss crest
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

With a ranking of #19, University of Southern Mississippi did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools list. Southern Miss is a fairly large public school situated in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It awarded 7 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southern Miss is $14,032 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students.

Full University of Southern Mississippi Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

20

With a ranking of #20, University of Central Oklahoma did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools list. Edmond, Oklahoma 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 55 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UCO is $17,339 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students.

Full UCO Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

21
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools ranking. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 78 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $14,765 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students.

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 full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Ball State

22

University of Central Arkansas ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools list. UCA is a fairly large school located in Conway, Arkansas that handed out 31 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Central Arkansas is $16,554 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UCA Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

23
Flagler St. Augustine crest
Flagler College - St Augustine
Saint Augustine, Florida

Flagler College - St Augustine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools ranking, coming in at #23. This small school is located in Saint Augustine, Florida, and it awarded 55 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Flagler College - St Augustine is $24,981 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Flagler College - St Augustine

24
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools ranking, coming in at #24. University of Oregon is a large school located in Eugene, Oregon that handed out 13 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

UO also took the #12 spot in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. It costs about $18,047 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication students per year to attend University of Oregon.

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

25

Colorado State University - Fort Collins ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools list. Colorado State is a public institution located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Colorado State, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado State is $18,679 for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full Colorado State University - Fort Collins Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

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