Public Relations degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their public relations programs.
College Factual analyzed 74 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best public relations schools.
The public relations program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Public Relations rankings. For our Best Overall Public Relations School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Public Relations Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than Georgetown University this year for public relations. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 public relations students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $91,362 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree.
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Southern Methodist University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best public relations schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. About 84% of students finish within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 29 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $51,828 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations, ranking #3. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. About 152 public relations degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $51,267 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong public relations program will find one at Boston University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston University awarded about 198 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations degree from Boston University earn around $73,982 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232.
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Students looking for a strong public relations program will find one at University Of Florida, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 183 public relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Public Relations graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,099 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,439 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public relations program at University Of Florida
George Washington University landed the #6 spot for public relations this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 17 public relations degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,569. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
More information about a degree in public relations from George Washington University
San Jose State University landed the #7 spot for public relations this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 public relations students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
Read more about the public relations program at San Jose State University
University Of Southern California ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best public relations schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 64 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $50,338 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,251 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public relations program at University Of Southern California
University Of Georgia came in at #9 for public relations this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 149 public relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $43,255. Students borrow a median of $23,394 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public relations from University Of Georgia
Washington State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best public relations schools. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 66 public relations degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations degree from Washington State University earn around $45,820 in the first couple years of their career. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
See the full public relations program report for Washington State University
The University Of Tennessee ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best public relations schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 85 public relations students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $42,173 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,368.
More information about a degree in public relations from The University Of Tennessee
University Of Miami earned the #12 position for public relations this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Miami awarded about 77 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $43,917 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000.
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University Of Rhode Island earned the #13 position for public relations this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 85 public relations degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $42,181 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
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Brigham Young University Provo placed #14 among the best public relations schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 71 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations degree from Brigham Young University Provo earn around $51,436 in the first couple years of their career. Brigham Young University Provo graduates carry a median of $11,975 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public relations from Brigham Young University Provo
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #15 among the best public relations schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. About 61 public relations degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $58,659 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public relations from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
American University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best public relations schools. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 82 public relations degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $56,877 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,442.
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Illinois State University placed #17 among the best public relations schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 48 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $43,874 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
See the full public relations program report for Illinois State University
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #18 among the best public relations schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 101 public relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $42,974 in their early career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
See the full public relations program report for University Of South Carolina Columbia
Quinnipiac University placed #19 among the best public relations schools. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 35 public relations degrees were awarded at Quinnipiac University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations degree from Quinnipiac University earn around $43,591 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public relations from Quinnipiac University
University Of Oregon ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best public relations schools. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Oregon awarded about 150 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $54,461. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
More information about a degree in public relations from University Of Oregon
Syracuse University earned the #21 position for public relations this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 87 public relations degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Public Relations graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $58,798 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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Drake University came in at #22 for public relations this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Drake University awarded about 28 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $44,492. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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Lipscomb University earned the #23 position for public relations this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 public relations students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
More information about a degree in public relations from Lipscomb University
The University Of Alabama came in at #24 for public relations this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Alabama awarded about 228 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $42,445 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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Auburn University earned the #25 position for public relations this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 81 public relations degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $41,458. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public relations from Auburn University
Rest of the Top 50 Public Relations Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong public relations education:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 74 schools evaluated.
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).
