[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 605 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public relations & advertising schools.
Finding the Best Value Public Relations & Advertising School for You
The right public relations & advertising school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for public relations & advertising in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $17,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,099. That is a strong return on a $17,439 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for public relations & advertising. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,439 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $42,099. Set against $17,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $38,798. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $12,157. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $41,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Utah Valley University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $16,478. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Florida State University earned the #6 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $13,849 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $46,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Monica College landed the #7 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $17,082 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #9 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $19,677. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $52,014. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Florida International University earned the #10 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. 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.
San Jose State University landed the #11 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #12 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $37,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #13 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,012. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $28,226. That is a strong return on a $23,012 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Sinclair Community College earned the #14 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
University Of Georgia came in at #15 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,394 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $43,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,394 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #16 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. 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, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. 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. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Dalton State College earned the #17 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,955 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $29,594 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,955 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $11,889. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State University landed the #19 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $45,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Florida landed the #20 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. 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. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
West Virginia University placed #21 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $56,835 early in their careers. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Kean University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Arizona State University placed #23 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,847 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $43,692 early in their careers. Set against $20,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Murray State University came in at #24 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. 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. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Utah State University placed #25 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $16,191. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $32,741 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 605 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 209 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
