2026 Best Value Public Relations Schools
[Public Relations](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 182 schools to find the best return on investment for public relations students.
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Finding the Best Value Public Relations School for You
The right public relations school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built 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.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
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. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among public relations schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,439 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $42,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for public relations. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $17,439 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $42,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for public relations. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $38,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public relations will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #5 place for public relations. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $23,012 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $28,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #6 for value in public relations this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $43,255. Set against $23,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $41,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,225 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Washington State University earned the #8 position for value in public relations this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $45,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #9 position for value in public relations this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $11,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Kean University placed #10 among the best values for public relations. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $48,705. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University came in at #11 for value in public relations this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $38,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #12 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. Early-career public relations graduates make about $48,847. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #13 on our 2026 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Maryland University College came in at #14 for value in public relations this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $65,890 early in their careers. Set against $23,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Kentucky University landed the #15 spot for public relations value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $35,534. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #16 spot for public relations value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,096. Public Relations graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $43,755 early in their careers. Set against $21,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Texas ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,817. Early-career public relations graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University landed the #18 spot for public relations value this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $22,580. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $38,375. That is a strong return on a $22,580 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Houston landed the #19 spot for public relations value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $42,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #20 spot for public relations value this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $23,745 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $38,369. That is a strong return on a $23,745 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Memphis earned the #21 position for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $39,819 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Central Washington University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,342. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $40,976. That is a strong return on a $23,342 median debt. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Idaho earned the #23 position for value in public relations this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $38,136. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #24 for value in public relations this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Appalachian State University placed #25 among the best values for public relations. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $36,559 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
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), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 182 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 78 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.
