2027 Best Value Public Relations Schools
[Public Relations](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 101 schools to find the best return on investment for public relations students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Public Relations School for You
Where you study public relations affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Public Relations Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
See how we build our rankings
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Public Relations Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public relations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Relations Schools
For return on investment in public relations, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,439 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Florida Online is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $17,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $42,099. Set against $17,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #3 place for public relations. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $38,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jose State University earned it the #4 place for public relations. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $43,255 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Ferris State University placed #6 among the best values for public relations. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Students borrow a median of $22,580 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $38,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #7 position for value in public relations this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $24,225. Early-career public relations graduates make about $41,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #8 spot for public relations value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,012. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $28,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $38,054. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Washington State University placed #10 among the best values for public relations. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $45,820 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #11 for value in public relations this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $26,703. Public Relations graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in public relations this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,812 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Western Kentucky University landed the #13 spot for public relations value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $35,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Valencia College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $42,786. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #15 position for value in public relations this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,146. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $56,930. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #16 spot for public relations value this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,745 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $38,369. Set against $23,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #17 for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $11,975. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $51,436. That is a strong return on a $11,975 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Memphis landed the #18 spot for public relations value this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $39,819. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $23,800 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $42,472 early in their careers. Set against $23,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,096. Early-career public relations graduates make about $43,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #22 among the best values for public relations. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $25,192 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $34,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Wayne State University came in at #23 for value in public relations this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $41,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #24 among the best values for public relations. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #25 position for value in public relations this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $26,000. Public Relations graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $39,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Relations Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public relations value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 101 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 101 ranked schools only.
- 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.
