[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 240 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public relations & advertising students.
Finding the Best Value Public Relations & Advertising School for You
The public relations & advertising program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in public relations & advertising in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $17,439 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $42,099. That is a strong return on a $17,439 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,439 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $42,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in public relations & advertising will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $17,082. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State University one of the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $13,849. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $46,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,849 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Santa Monica College placed #6 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #7 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #8 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $38,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #9 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $34,435. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida placed #10 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $18,750. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $37,388 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Palomar College placed #11 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Sinclair Community College placed #12 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
The University Of West Florida landed the #13 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $52,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Dalton State College came in at #14 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $14,955 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $29,594. That is a strong return on a $14,955 median debt.
San Jose State University came in at #15 for value in public relations & advertising this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of North Florida placed #16 among the best values for public relations & advertising. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $18,523. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $48,628 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $38,375. That is a strong return on a $22,580 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Georgia came in at #18 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,394. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $43,255 early in their careers. Set against $23,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Northern Kentucky University placed #19 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $41,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
California State University Long Beach ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,012 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $28,226 early in their careers. Set against $23,012 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global landed the #21 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $36,778. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $54,278 early in their careers. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #22 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,250. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $54,763. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University came in at #24 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $38,054. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University earned the #25 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public relations & advertising:
This ranking is produced 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 · 240 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 240 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).
[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
