2026 Best Value Public Relations Master’s Degree Schools
[Public Relations](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public relations education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 182 schools to find the best return on investment for public relations students.
What’s on this page:
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
For return on investment in public relations, no school beat Kean University 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, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,817. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #3 spot this year. 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 $48,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Maryland University College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $23,276 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $65,890. Set against $23,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Southern University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $25,000. Early-career public relations graduates make about $47,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #6 position for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $54,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas Tech University came in at #7 for value in public relations this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the public relations program here. 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. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #8 position for value in public relations this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Oregon came in at #9 for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,500. Public Relations graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $66,763 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama earned the #10 position for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $25,000. Public Relations graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $42,445 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Rowan University placed #11 among the best values for public relations. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $35,116. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University came in at #12 for value in public relations this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. 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. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Iona College earned the #13 position for value in public relations this year. Located in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $25,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Temple University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Temple University earn a median of $41,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suffolk University placed #15 among the best values for public relations. Set in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $44,863. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Southern California earned the #16 position for value in public relations this year. 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. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $20,251 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $50,634. That is a strong return on a $20,251 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Belmont University landed the #17 spot for public relations value this year. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University placed #18 among the best values for public relations. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,660. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $56,529. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
George Washington University came in at #19 for value in public relations this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Full Sail University landed the #20 spot for public relations value this year. Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,906. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $32,103. Public Relations graduates of Full Sail University earn a median of $37,416 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,103 median debt.
Quinnipiac University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,250. Public Relations graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $43,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Quinnipiac University admits about 72% of applicants.
Georgetown University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $16,483. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $91,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University earned the #23 position for value in public relations this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $62,662. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University came in at #24 for value in public relations this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $51,828. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
American University came in at #25 for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,442 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $63,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Public Relations Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public relations value ranking:
Other Public Relations Degree Levels
Explore the best-value public relations schools at other degree levels:
View All Public Relations Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 182 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
