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2023 Most Popular Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication

36 Ranked Colleges
722 Degrees Awarded
$33,900 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master's

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 722 public relations, advertising, and applied communication graduates with average earnings and debt of $58,425 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s” ranking, we looked at 36 colleges that offer a degree in public relations, advertising, and applied communication. To top this list, a school must have a successful public relations, advertising, and applied communication program that graduates more students in the field than other colleges that offer the same major.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s” 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s”.

1
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Syracuse University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s list. Located in Syracuse, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 117 diplomas to qualified masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

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

2

Out of the 36 schools in the Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Universidad del Sagrado Corazon landed the #2 spot on the list. Santurce, is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 87 students in 2020-2021.

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%.

Full Sagrado Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

3
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

Out of the 36 schools in the Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Georgetown University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 68 diplomas to qualified masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

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

4
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas Tech University. The school came in at #4 for the Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s. Texas Tech University is located in Lubbock, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

5
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s list. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school handed out 51 degrees to qualified masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, 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 95%.

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

6
Marist crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, New York

Marist College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking. Marist is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Poughkeepsie, New York. It awarded 46 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

7

With a ranking of #7, The City College of New York did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s list. The City College of New York is a fairly large public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 31 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

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 full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at CCNY

8
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #8. University of Mississippi is a large public school situated in University, Mississippi. It awarded 22 masters’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%.

Full University of Mississippi Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

9
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 21 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

10
Sacred Heart crest
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, Connecticut

Sacred Heart University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking. Sacred Heart is a medium-sized school located in Fairfield, Connecticut that handed out 20 masters’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 87%. 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 Sacred Heart

11

University of Colorado Boulder did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #11. University of Colorado Boulder is a public institution located in Boulder, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full CU - Boulder Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

12
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking. Ball State University is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 18 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees 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%.

Full Ball State Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

13
Emerson crest
Emerson College
Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #13, Emerson College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s list. This medium-sized school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 17 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

13

The University of West Florida landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking. Pensacola, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

Full UWF Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

15
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #15. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 15 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

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

16
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s list. UO is a large public school situated in Eugene, Oregon. It awarded 13 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees 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 Oregon

17
Saint Peter's College crest
Saint Peter's University
Jersey City, New Jersey

Saint Peter’s University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking. Saint Peter’s College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jersey City, New Jersey. It awarded 12 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Saint Peter’s College Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

18
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking. This fairly large school is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and it awarded 11 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees 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%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at University of North Florida

18

Universidad del Turabo did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #18. Universidad del Turabo is a private not-for-profit institution located in Gurabo, . The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Universidad del Turabo

20
Trinity College crest
Trinity Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia

With a ranking of #20, Trinity Washington University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s list. Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

21

Colorado State University - Fort Collins did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #21. Colorado State is a large school located in Fort Collins, Colorado that handed out 8 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication 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 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 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

21

Maryville University of Saint Louis landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking. Maryville U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.

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

23

Texas Christian University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2020-2021.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

24
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 6 masters’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 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

25
Coastal Carolina University crest
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, South Carolina

With a ranking of #25, Coastal Carolina University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s list. Coastal Carolina University is a fairly large school located in Conway, South Carolina that handed out 5 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

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

25
Buffalo State crest
Buffalo State
Buffalo, New York

With a ranking of #25, Buffalo State did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s list. Buffalo, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

Full Buffalo State Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

25
East Stroudsburg University crest
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #25. East Stroudsburg University is a medium-sized school located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 5 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2020-2021.

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

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