2026 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public relations students.
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2026 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public relations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Relations Schools
University Of Houston tops our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $23,800 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $42,472. That is a strong return on a $23,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values for public relations. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Canadian Valley Technology Center earned it the #3 place for public relations. Canadian Valley Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of El Reno. Public Relations graduates of Canadian Valley Technology Center earn a median of $46,777 early in their careers.
Students looking for strong value in public relations will find it at Texas State University San Marcos, which ranked #4. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,764. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $40,411. Set against $21,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $20,995 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $51,267. Set against $20,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas Tech University came in at #6 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Oral Roberts University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Students borrow a median of $28,022 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Oral Roberts University generally make around $41,180. Set against $28,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Southern Methodist University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $19,750. Early-career public relations graduates make about $51,828. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 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.
