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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication

166 Ranked Colleges
4,203 Degrees Awarded
$31,800 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication is the 170th most popular major in the country with 4,203 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major” ranking looked at 166 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public relations, advertising, and applied communication. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in public relations, advertising, and applied communication.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The public relations, advertising, and applied communication school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major”.

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.

Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students.

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Colorado Boulder. The school came in at #1 for the Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major. University of Colorado Boulder is a public institution located in Boulder, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 404 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Colorado Boulder Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

2

Out of the 166 schools in the Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the #2 spot on the list. Florida International University is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 276 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Florida International University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The school came in at #3 for the Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major. UNL is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 192 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 183 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 USF Tampa Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

5
KSU Georgia crest
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, Georgia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Kennesaw State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Kennesaw State University is a large school located in Kennesaw, Georgia that handed out 172 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Kennesaw State University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

6

With a ranking of #6, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 169 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Grand Valley State University

7
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 139 degrees to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.

Full Florida State University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

8

Universidad del Sagrado Corazon did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #8. Sagrado is located in Santurce, and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 118 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Universidad del Sagrado Corazon Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

9
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Syracuse is located in Syracuse, New York and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 117 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full Syracuse Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

10
Howard crest
Howard University
Washington, District of Columbia

Howard University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 115 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

11
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Wazzu is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 107 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Washington State University

12

Texas Christian University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. TCU is a fairly large school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 103 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

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

13

With a ranking of #13, The University of Tampa did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Located in Tampa, Florida, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 85 diplomas to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UT Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

14
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #14. 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 more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Ball State University

15
Ithaca crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, New York

With a ranking of #15, Ithaca College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Ithaca is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 77 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

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

16
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #16. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

17
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school awarded 80 diplomas to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Texas Tech

17

University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #17 on this year’s Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. This medium-sized school is located in River Falls, Wisconsin, and it awarded 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 full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at UW - River Falls

19
CCSU crest
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, Connecticut

Central Connecticut State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. This medium-sized school is located in New Britain, Connecticut, and it awarded 58 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

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

20
Buffalo State crest
Buffalo State
Buffalo, New York

Buffalo State did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Buffalo, New York, this medium-sized public school awarded 57 degrees to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Buffalo State

20
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #20. Drexel is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 Drexel University

22
Flagler St. Augustine crest
Flagler College - St Augustine
Saint Augustine, Florida

Flagler College - St Augustine came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Flagler St. Augustine is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Augustine, Florida. It awarded 55 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Flagler College - St Augustine

22

University of Central Oklahoma came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Located in Edmond, Oklahoma, this fairly large public school handed out 55 degrees to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

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

24
Chapman crest
Chapman University
Orange, California

With a ranking of #24, Chapman University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. This medium-sized school is located in Orange, California, and it awarded 54 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

24

University of Louisiana at Lafayette did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #24. Lafayette, Louisiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 54 students in 2020-2021.

Full University of Louisiana at Lafayette Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

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