2027 Best Public Relations Schools in the The Plains States Region
Public Relations is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best public relations schools.
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Best Schools for Public Relations in the The Plains States 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
Drake University tops our 2027 ranking of the best public relations schools. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 public relations degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Public Relations graduates of Drake University earn a median of $44,492 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
See the full public relations program report for Drake University
Students looking for a strong public relations program will find one at Iowa State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 public relations degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $42,530. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750.
Get the full public relations details for Iowa State University
University Of Northern Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 public relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $43,755 in their early career. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $21,096 in student loans.
See the full public relations program report for University Of Northern Iowa
A rank of #4 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the top schools for public relations. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 10 public relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $42,168 in their early career. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
Read more about the public relations program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Missouri State University Springfield is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations, ranking #5. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 public relations students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $40,178. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $23,329 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public relations from Missouri State University Springfield
University Of Central Missouri placed #6 among the best public relations schools. This large public university is located in the town of Warrensburg. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 13 public relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $39,401. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public relations program at University Of Central Missouri
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Notes and References
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 · 6 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.
