2027 Best Value Public Relations Master’s Degree Schools
[Public Relations](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for public relations students.
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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
Leading the list is Kean University, our #1 best value for public relations in the United States. 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. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $26,703. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public relations will find it at Arkansas State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $40,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for public relations. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,146. Public Relations graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of North Texas came in at #4 on our 2027 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Oswego earned it the #5 place for public relations. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $37,203. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Georgia Southern University placed #6 among the best values for public relations. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $47,921. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #7 spot for public relations value this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $22,625. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $35,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas Tech University came in at #8 for value in public relations this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $59,124 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #9 spot for public relations value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $20,995. Early-career public relations graduates make about $54,561. Set against $20,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Students borrow a median of $24,693 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $50,587 early in their careers. Set against $24,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Maryland University College earned the #11 position for value in public relations this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,276. Early-career public relations graduates make about $65,890. Set against $23,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Oregon ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,500. Early-career public relations graduates make about $66,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Alabama landed the #13 spot for public relations value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $42,445. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Rowan University landed the #14 spot for public relations value this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $35,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $25,232. Public Relations graduates of Boston University earn a median of $73,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University came in at #16 for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $41,165. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Iona College landed the #17 spot for public relations value this year. Located in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,260. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $25,745. Public Relations graduates of Iona College earn a median of $51,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,745 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $20,251. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $50,634. Set against $20,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Belmont University came in at #19 for value in public relations this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
George Washington University placed #20 among the best values for public relations. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,569. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 47%.
University Of Miami placed #21 among the best values for public relations. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $43,917. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Syracuse University placed #22 among the best values for public relations. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $62,662. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Quinnipiac University placed #23 among the best values for public relations. Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamden. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,250. Early-career public relations graduates make about $43,591. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Georgetown University earned the #24 position for value in public relations this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $91,362. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
Full Sail University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,906. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $32,103 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $37,416. Set against $32,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Public Relations Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public relations this year:
Other Public Relations Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Public Relations rankings across degree levels:
View All Public Relations Rankings >
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
