2027 Best Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Public Relations degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best public relations schools.
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Best Schools for Public Relations in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public relations education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Public Relations
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best public relations schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 61 public relations degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530.
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Students looking for a strong public relations program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 48 public relations degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations degree from Illinois State University earn around $43,874 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
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Marquette University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best public relations schools. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 public relations degrees were awarded at Marquette University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations degree from Marquette University earn around $40,583 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in public relations from Marquette University
Kent State University At Kent is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 public relations degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $40,867. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Eastern Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best public relations schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. About 47% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 public relations students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Public Relations graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $38,369 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,745.
More information about a degree in public relations from Eastern Illinois University
Central Michigan University came in at #6 for public relations this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 14 public relations degrees were awarded at Central Michigan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $40,346. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Wayne State University landed the #7 spot for public relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Detroit. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 public relations degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $41,306 in their early career. Wayne State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Eastern Michigan University earned the #8 position for public relations this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 11 public relations degrees were awarded at Eastern Michigan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $41,420. Typical student debt for the program is $24,755.
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University Of Akron Main Campus placed #9 among the best public relations schools. This large public university is located in the city of Akron. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 16 public relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations degree from University Of Akron Main Campus earn around $41,396 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Cleveland State University earned the #10 position for public relations this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Cleveland State University graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 public relations students who graduated with this degree at Cleveland State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $38,027. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public relations from Cleveland State University
Northern Michigan University landed the #11 spot for public relations this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Northern Michigan University awarded about 19 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $34,319. Students borrow a median of $22,608 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public relations from Northern Michigan University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 11 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.