2026 Best Public Relations Schools in the Southwest 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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public relations students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Public Relations in the Southwest Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public relations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Public Relations
Southern Methodist University tops our 2026 ranking of the best public relations schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 public relations students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $51,828 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750.
More information about a degree in public relations from Southern Methodist University
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best public relations schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 134 public relations degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Public Relations graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $51,267 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,995.
See the full public relations program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
A rank of #3 makes Texas Tech University one of the top schools for public relations. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 131 public relations degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Public Relations graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,074 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
Read more about the public relations program at Texas Tech University
Texas State University San Marcos is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations, ranking #4. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. About 140 public relations degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $40,411 in their early career. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $21,764 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public relations from Texas State University San Marcos
Students looking for a strong public relations program will find one at Oral Roberts University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 12 public relations students who graduated with this degree at Oral Roberts University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $41,180 in their early career. Oral Roberts University graduates carry a median of $28,022 in student loans.
Get the full public relations details for Oral Roberts University
Canadian Valley Technology Center came in at #6 for public relations this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of El Reno. Canadian Valley Technology Center awarded about 11 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Canadian Valley Technology Center generally make around $46,777.
Get the full public relations details for Canadian Valley Technology Center
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 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.
