2027 Best Value Public Relations Schools in Illinois
[Public Relations](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public relations education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public relations schools.
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2027 Best Value Public Relations Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public relations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Relations Schools
Leading the list is Eastern Illinois University, our #1 best value for public relations in Illinois. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public relations will find it at Illinois State University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $43,874. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Bradley University one of the best values for public relations. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. That is a strong return on a $26,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbia College Chicago earned it the #4 place for public relations. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $39,794 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
