2027 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the The Plains States Region

[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 8 schools to find the best return on investment for public relations students.
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2027 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the The Plains States 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
Leading the list is University Of Northern Iowa, our #1 best value for public relations in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,096. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $43,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for public relations. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $39,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,329. Public Relations graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $40,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,329 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public relations will find it at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,258. Early-career public relations graduates make about $42,168. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $42,530. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
South Dakota State University came in at #6 for value in public relations this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $39,795. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Lindenwood University landed the #7 spot for public relations value this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $27,000. Public Relations graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
Drake University came in at #8 for value in public relations this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $44,492. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.