by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for public relations & advertising students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public relations & advertising degrees they offer, see the list below.
Santa Monica College tops our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools in the United States. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Sinclair Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. 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. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Fashion Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $21,006. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #5 makes Full Sail University one of the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,906. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $32,103 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $32,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Explore the best-value public relations & advertising schools at other degree levels:
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.