2027 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations-advertising-and-applied-communication/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools.
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2027 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
University Of Delaware earned the #1 spot for value among public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $24,861. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Peters College one of the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $50,944. Set against $22,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Buffalo earned it the #3 place for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,257 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Canisius College one of the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,200. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $42,672 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, landing the #5 spot this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $61,432. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Students borrow a median of $24,693 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $50,587 early in their careers. Set against $24,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rowan University landed the #7 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $35,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Point Park University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,570. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $28,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $32,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Saint Bonaventure University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the town of Saint Bonaventure, Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,735. Students borrow a median of $25,917 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Saint Bonaventure University generally make around $43,190. Set against $25,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Susquehanna University landed the #10 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Located in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,850. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Susquehanna University generally make around $36,632. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $24,693 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Ithaca College earned the #12 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $39,446 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
George Washington University landed the #13 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,710 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 Washington University earn a median of $73,569 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University earned the #14 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $41,800. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University earned the #15 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $58,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University placed #16 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $91,362 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
Marist College landed the #17 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,620. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $70,802. Set against $25,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marist College admits about 56% of applicants.
Howard University placed #18 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,810. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $26,000. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $39,120. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Howard University admits about 41% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
