2026 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools in the Far Western Region
[Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations-advertising-and-applied-communication/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for public relations, advertising, & applied communication students.
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2026 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools
Leading the list is Washington State University, our #1 best value for public relations, advertising, & applied communication in the Far Western Region. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $45,820. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Azusa Pacific University one of the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $18,493. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $58,302. That is a strong return on a $18,493 median debt. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Oregon earned it the #3 place for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $21,500. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $54,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication will find it at California Baptist University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $22,718 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $49,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,718 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication will find it at Biola University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,984 in tuition and fees. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $21,104 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $36,319. Set against $21,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
George Fox University came in at #6 for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. Students from in state pay about $41,320 in tuition and fees. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $37,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Fox University admits about 94% of applicants.
National University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Students borrow a median of $30,622 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of National University earn a median of $50,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,622 median debt.
University Of Southern California placed #8 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $20,251. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $50,338. That is a strong return on a $20,251 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Gonzaga University came in at #9 for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $58,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Pepperdine University landed the #10 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,918. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $26,000. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $45,988. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Chapman University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,984. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $40,141. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 9 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.
