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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication in the Great Lakes Region

28 Ranked Colleges
486 Degrees Awarded
$26,900 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 486 public relations, advertising, and applied communication graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking analyzed 28 colleges that offered a degree in public relations, advertising, and applied communication. That schools that top this list have a program in public relations, advertising, and applied communication in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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.

Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region”.

Top 28 Most Focused Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication in the Great Lakes Region

1

Out of the 28 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #1 spot on the list. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized school located in River Falls, Wisconsin that handed out 64 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

2
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Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand Valley State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 169 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified 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 GVSU

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio Dominican University. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region. Ohio Dominican University is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified 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 full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Ohio Dominican University

4
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Albion College
Albion, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Albion College. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region. Albion College is located in Albion, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

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

5
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Anderson University Indiana
Anderson, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Anderson University Indiana. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region. Anderson University Indiana is a private not-for-profit institution located in Anderson, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Anderson University Indiana Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

6

Indiana Wesleyan University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Indiana Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Marion, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 Indiana Wesleyan University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

7
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Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 78 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Ball State

8
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Carthage College
Kenosha, Wisconsin

Carthage College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and it awarded 8 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Carthage

9
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Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University ranked #9 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Bradley is a medium-sized school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 17 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Bradley Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

10

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UW Oshkosh is a public institution located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

11
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McKendree University
Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. McKendree University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lebanon, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

12

University of Mount Union landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Alliance, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

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 more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at University of Mount Union

13
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Adrian College
Adrian, Michigan

Adrian College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Adrian is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Adrian, Michigan. It awarded 3 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Adrian College Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

14
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Marian University
Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin

Marian University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 2 degrees to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

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

15

Ohio Northern University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Ada, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

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 Ohio Northern University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

16
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Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Oakland is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified 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 more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Oakland University

17

Concordia University, Ann Arbor landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 Concordia University, Ann Arbor

18
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Chippewa Valley Technical College
Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. CVTC is a public institution located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at CVTC

19

The University of Findlay ranked #19 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Findlay, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Full The University of Findlay Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

20
Cardinal Stritch crest
Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #20, Cardinal Stritch University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Cardinal Stritch University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 2 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Cardinal Stritch

21
Gateway Technical College crest
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, Wisconsin

Gateway Technical College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #21. Gateway Technical College is a medium-sized school located in Kenosha, Wisconsin that handed out 9 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Gateway Technical College

22

With a ranking of #22, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is a private not-for-profit institution located in Marion, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global

23
SXU crest
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region list. SXU is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 2 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

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

24
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 6 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

25
LEC crest
Lake Erie College
Painesville, Ohio

Lake Erie College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. LEC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Painesville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

25
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Marietta College
Marietta, Ohio

Marietta College ranked #25 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Marietta, Ohio. It awarded 0 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

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

25
Muskingum crest
Muskingum University
New Concord, Ohio

With a ranking of #25, Muskingum University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Muskingum University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New Concord, Ohio. It awarded 0 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

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

25
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Bluffton University
Bluffton, Ohio

With a ranking of #25, Bluffton University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Bluffton, Ohio, and it awarded 0 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

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