2026 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Master’s Degree Schools
[Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations-advertising-and-applied-communication/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 208 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 United States
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
Florida State University earned the #1 spot for value among public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools in the United States. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $13,849 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $51,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $19,677. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $52,014. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $18,523. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $48,628. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $24,861. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $54,155. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned it the #5 place for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $43,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,812 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $38,272. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $23,879. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $38,020. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Middle Georgia State University placed #9 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Set in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Middle Georgia State University generally make around $48,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Sacred Heart landed the #10 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Located in the city of Santurce, University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $12,375. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Sacred Heart generally make around $32,818. Set against $12,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Texas Tech University landed the #11 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $59,124. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #12 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #13 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $23,899 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,899 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #14 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $22,843. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $51,693 early in their careers. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Oregon ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. 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, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $66,763. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University placed #16 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $52,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
East Texas Baptist University landed the #17 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Set in the town of Marshall, East Texas Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,680 in tuition and fees. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $25,137 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $44,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California Baptist University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,228. Students borrow a median of $22,718 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $65,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
Bellevue University landed the #19 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern California earned the #20 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $20,251 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $50,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $49,699. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
George Washington University landed the #22 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
The University Of Tampa came in at #23 for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,408. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of $36,977 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tampa admits about 40% of applicants.
Georgetown University came in at #24 for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $91,362 early in their careers. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
Drexel University earned the #25 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $46,475. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public relations, advertising, & applied communication value ranking:
Other Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Degree Levels
Explore the best-value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools at other degree levels:
View All Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Rankings >
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 · 208 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
