2026 Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools in California

1

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

No school ranked higher than University Of Southern California this year for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 105 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $50,338 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $20,251 in student loans. See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for University Of Southern California

2

Chapman University
Orange, CA

A rank of #2 makes Chapman University one of the top schools for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. About 82% of students finish within six years. Chapman University awarded about 31 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $40,141 early in their careers. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Chapman University

3

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

A rank of #3 makes Pepperdine University one of the top schools for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Malibu. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $45,988. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Pepperdine University

4

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Azusa. About 62% of students finish within six years. Azusa Pacific University awarded about 15 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Azusa Pacific University earn around $58,302 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,493. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Azusa Pacific University

5

Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Biola University earn around $36,319 in the first couple years of their career. Biola University graduates carry a median of $21,104 in student loans. See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Biola University

6

National University
San Diego, CA

National University came in at #6 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. National University awarded about 17 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of National University earn a median of $50,070 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,622. Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for National University

7

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University came in at #7 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 11 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from California Baptist University earn around $49,165 in the first couple years of their career. California Baptist University graduates carry a median of $22,718 in student loans. Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for California Baptist University