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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Public Relations (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

27 Ranked Colleges
1,544 Degrees Awarded
$12,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 5,347 people earned their degree in public relations, making the major the 136th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southeast region, there were 1,616 public relations graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,544 public relations graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,277 and $25,415 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 27 colleges that offered a degree in public relations. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public relations programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the public relations program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Public Relations Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Public Relations (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

#1

Washington and Lee University

Lexington, Virginia
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington and Lee University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Lexington, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s PR students in 2019-2020.

Washington and Lee also made our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $1,612 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Washington and Lee.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 0.8% 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 at Washington and Lee University

#2

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UF is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 196 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k list, UF has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $1,994 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree PR students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations at UF

#3

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Georgia. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 161 bachelors’s PR degrees in 2019-2020.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Georgia is $7,541 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree PR students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UGA Public Relations Report

#4

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Appalachian State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Appalachian State University is located in Boone, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 89 bachelors’s PR degrees to qualified students.

Appalachian State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State University is $7,169 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree PR students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Appalachian State University Public Relations Report

#5

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky
#14 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Kentucky University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, this fairly large public school handed out 31 degrees to qualified bachelors’s PR students in 2019-2020.

NKU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Kentucky University is $4,156 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Relations at Northern Kentucky University

#6

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#5 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Columbia, South Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s PR degrees to 167 students in 2019-2020.

UofSC also made our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $12,426 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree PR students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UofSC.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UofSC Public Relations Report

#8 in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a public institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 61 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Knoxville has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,224 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Knoxville.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Public Relations Report

#8

Murray State University

Murray, Kentucky
#18 in overall quality

Murray State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Murray State is located in Murray, Kentucky and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 bachelors’s PR degrees to qualified students.

Murray State also made our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Murray State University is $8,839 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Relations at Murray State University

#9

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, Georgia
#11 in overall quality

Georgia Southern University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. GaSou is a large public school situated in Statesboro, Georgia. It awarded 87 bachelors’s PR degrees in 2019-2020.

GaSou also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $12,378 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Georgia Southern University.

Full GaSou Public Relations Report

#20 in overall quality

University of Louisiana at Lafayette did quite well in the 2022 Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. UL Lafayette is a public institution located in Lafayette, Louisiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UL Lafayette not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Louisiana at Lafayette is $9,621 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Relations at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

#11

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida-Online ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Florida-Online is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 52 bachelors’s PR degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Florida-Online is $4,289 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UF Online Public Relations Report

#12

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky
#15 in overall quality

Western Kentucky University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bowling Green, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s PR degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k list, WKU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Kentucky University is $11,714 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Relations at Western Kentucky University

#13

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
#22 in overall quality

University of Memphis ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UofM is located in Memphis, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 32 bachelors’s PR degrees to qualified students.

UofM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Memphis is $10,256 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Relations at UofM

#14

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
#6 in overall quality

The University of Alabama came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 239 bachelors’s PR degrees to qualified students.

UA also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Alabama is $19,322 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree PR students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Relations at The University of Alabama

#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this medium-sized public school handed out 33 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s PR students in 2019-2020.

Florida A&M University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida A&M University is $13,139 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree PR students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Public Relations at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

#16

Harding University

Searcy, Arkansas
#12 in overall quality

Harding University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Harding is a small school located in Searcy, Arkansas that handed out 17 bachelors’s PR degrees in 2019-2020.

Harding did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Harding is $13,930 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Public Relations at Harding

#17

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, Kentucky
#24 in overall quality

Eastern Kentucky University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Eastern is located in Richmond, Kentucky and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 bachelors’s PR degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k list, Eastern has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Eastern is $12,397 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Relations at Eastern Kentucky University

#18

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama
#7 in overall quality

Auburn University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Auburn University is a large public school situated in Auburn, Alabama. It awarded 86 bachelors’s PR degrees in 2019-2020.

Auburn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $18,394 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Auburn.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The low student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 at Auburn University

#19

Mississippi College

Clinton, Mississippi
#16 in overall quality

Mississippi College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Clinton, Mississippi, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s PR degrees in 2019-2020.

MC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend MC is $14,491 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree PR students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Relations at MC

#20

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Lee University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 35 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Lee University also took the #21 spot in our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lee University is $13,841 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Relations at Lee University

#21

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Belmont University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Belmont is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 bachelors’s PR degrees to qualified students.

Belmont also took the #10 spot in our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Belmont is $25,980 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree PR students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations at Belmont University

#22

Winthrop University

Rock Hill, South Carolina
#19 in overall quality

Winthrop University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winthrop University is a medium-sized public school situated in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It awarded 18 bachelors’s PR degrees in 2019-2020.

Winthrop also made our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for Winthrop is $16,682 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Relations at Winthrop University

#23

Barry University

Miami, Florida
#23 in overall quality

Barry University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Barry University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 4 bachelors’s PR degrees in 2019-2020.

Barry University also made our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Barry University is $15,405 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree PR students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Relations at Barry University

#24

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee
#13 in overall quality

Lipscomb University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. This small school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s PR degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lipscomb, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $20,036 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lipscomb.

The low student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Lipscomb Public Relations Report

#25

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee

Southern Adventist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value PR Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Southern Adventist University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Collegedale, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Southern Adventist University is $19,346 for southeast region bachelor’s degree pr students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Relations at Southern Adventist

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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