2027 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Southeast Region
[Public Relations](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public relations schools.
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2027 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in public relations in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $17,439. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,099. Set against $17,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for public relations. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. 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 Online generally make around $42,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $41,842. Set against $24,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
A rank of #4 makes Murray State University one of the best values for public relations. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $22,250. Public Relations graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $38,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in public relations will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #5. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $23,394 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $43,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #6 position for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in public relations this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $40,812. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Valencia College came in at #8 for value in public relations this year. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $42,786. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Memphis landed the #9 spot for public relations value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Public Relations graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $39,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #10 among the best values for public relations. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $25,192. Public Relations graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $34,920 early in their careers. Set against $25,192 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Appalachian State University placed #11 among the best values for public relations. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,500. Early-career public relations graduates make about $36,559. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #12 position for value in public relations this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $21,368 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $42,173 early in their careers. Set against $21,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University landed the #13 spot for public relations value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,625 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $28,516. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Georgia Southern University placed #14 among the best values for public relations. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $41,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University earned the #15 position for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,678 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $27,000. Early-career public relations graduates make about $40,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Lee University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $27,000. Early-career public relations graduates make about $33,162. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University placed #17 among the best values for public relations. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The University Of Alabama earned the #18 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, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $42,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #19 for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the public relations program here. 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.
Harding University came in at #20 for value in public relations this year. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $26,854. Public Relations graduates of Harding University earn a median of $33,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #21 position for value in public relations this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $42,974. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $41,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Lipscomb University placed #23 among the best values for public relations. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $48,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Southern Adventist University earned the #24 position for value in public relations this year. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. In-state tuition and fees average $27,300. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $61,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Hampton University landed the #25 spot for public relations value this year. Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hampton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,592. Students borrow a median of $26,169 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Hampton University generally make around $46,870. Set against $26,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hampton University admits about 62% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Public Relations Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public relations this year:
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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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
