2027 Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools in the Southeast Region
Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their public relations, advertising, & applied communication programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public relations, advertising, & applied communication students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public relations, advertising, & applied communication education in the Southeast Region.
Top Schools in Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication
Florida State University tops our 2027 ranking of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 163 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Florida State University earn around $46,391 in the first couple years of their career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $13,849 in student loans.
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University Of Arkansas is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, ranking #2. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 122 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from University Of Arkansas earn around $52,555 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans.
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A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the top schools for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 200 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,105 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,082 to complete this degree.
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Florida International University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Miami. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 192 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $34,435. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Tampa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, ranking #5. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 114 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at The University Of Tampa in the most recent year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of $36,977 early in their careers. The University Of Tampa graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #6 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 44 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $43,057. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans.
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University Of North Florida landed the #7 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $48,628. University Of North Florida graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans.
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The University Of West Florida came in at #8 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Pensacola. The University Of West Florida graduates 59% of students within six years. The University Of West Florida awarded about 16 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $52,014 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete this degree.
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Belmont University earned the #9 position for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 10 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans.
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Kennesaw State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kennesaw. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 106 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Kennesaw State University in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $41,460 early in their careers. Kennesaw State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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Arkansas Tech University came in at #11 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 11 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Arkansas Tech University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Arkansas Tech University earn around $45,115 in the first couple years of their career. Arkansas Tech University graduates carry a median of $23,257 in student loans.
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University Of Memphis landed the #12 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Memphis. University Of Memphis graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from University Of Memphis earn around $39,819 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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Midway College placed #13 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the rural area of Midway, Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Midway College graduates 44% of students within six years. Midway College awarded about 21 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Midway College earn around $42,586 in the first couple years of their career. Midway College graduates carry a median of $26,723 in student loans.
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Loyola University New Orleans came in at #14 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 27 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Loyola University New Orleans in the most recent year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Loyola University New Orleans earn a median of $36,004 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Middle Georgia State University earned the #15 position for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. This large public university is located in the city of Macon. The six-year graduation rate is 24%. There were roughly 16 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Middle Georgia State University in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $48,207 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,976.
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University Of South Alabama landed the #16 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 22 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at University Of South Alabama in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from University Of South Alabama earn around $51,592 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete this degree.
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University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #17 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. This large public university is located in the city of Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. University Of Louisiana Lafayette awarded about 40 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn around $34,434 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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Harding University placed #18 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Harding University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $33,577 in their early career. Harding University graduates carry a median of $26,854 in student loans.
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Webber International University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the rural area of Babson Park, Webber International University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 25% of students finish within six years. Webber International University awarded about 16 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Webber International University earn around $35,052 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,310 to complete this degree.
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Florida Southern College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Florida Southern College graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Florida Southern College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $35,023 in their early career. Florida Southern College graduates carry a median of $25,955 in student loans.
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University Of Central Arkansas landed the #21 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. University Of Central Arkansas graduates 53% of students within six years. About 15 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at University Of Central Arkansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $35,177. Typical student debt for the program is $22,800.
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Meredith College earned the #22 position for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% 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 Meredith College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Meredith College earn around $40,762 in the first couple years of their career. Meredith College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Flagler College St Augustine placed #23 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Augustine, Flagler College St Augustine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Flagler College St Augustine awarded about 17 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Flagler College St Augustine earn a median of $32,713 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree.
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West Liberty University earned the #24 position for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at West Liberty University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from West Liberty University earn around $48,761 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,144 to complete this degree.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 24 schools evaluated.
- 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.