2027 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools in the Southeast 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 29 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 Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools
Florida International University tops our 2027 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $34,435. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $17,082 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $34,105. Set against $17,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #3. 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. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $46,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,849 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $37,388. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication will find it at The University Of West Florida, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $52,014. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #6 for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,225 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida earned the #7 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $48,628. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $40,812. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $23,257. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $45,115. That is a strong return on a $23,257 median debt. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $25,000. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $39,819. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Middle Georgia State University placed #11 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. 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. Set against $26,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $43,057. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University landed the #13 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $41,460. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette earned the #14 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $34,434. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas landed the #15 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky placed #16 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,813 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Central Arkansas earned the #17 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $22,800. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $35,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of South Alabama ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $51,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
West Liberty University came in at #19 for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,893, compared with $17,442 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,144 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from West Liberty University generally make around $48,761. Set against $27,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Wingate University earned the #20 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,576 in tuition and fees. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $25,400 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $40,438. That is a strong return on a $25,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Harding University earned the #21 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,854 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Harding University earn a median of $33,577 early in their careers. Set against $26,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Meredith College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,630. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Meredith College earn a median of $40,762 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University New Orleans ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,440. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Loyola University New Orleans earn a median of $36,004 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University New Orleans admits about 93% of applicants.
Florida Southern College placed #24 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Set in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,040. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $25,955. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $35,023. Set against $25,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Southern College admits about 64% of applicants.
Webber International University landed the #25 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Set in the rural area of Babson Park, Webber International University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,770. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $26,310 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Webber International University earn a median of $35,052 early in their careers. Set against $26,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Webber International University admits about 69% of applicants.
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:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
