2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 605 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public relations & advertising schools.
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Featured Public Relations & Advertising Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MA in Communication - Public Relations
Learn how to use the latest technology and tactics to manage the flow of information between brands and the public with your Master's in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations at Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public relations & advertising, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in public relations & advertising in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. 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 generally make around $42,099. Set against $17,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $17,439. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $42,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,439 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public relations & advertising will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #3. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $38,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $12,157. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State University landed the #6 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $13,849 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $41,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $17,082 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $34,105. Set against $17,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. 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, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $12,000. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $34,435. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
San Jose State University came in at #9 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #10 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $18,750. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $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 ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,012. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $28,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Georgia ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,787 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $45,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $41,842. Set against $24,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Dalton State College earned the #14 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $14,955. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $29,594 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State University came in at #15 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $45,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Arizona State University came in at #16 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $20,847 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $31,093. Set against $20,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Murray State University placed #17 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $38,054. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Utah State University earned the #18 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $16,191. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $32,741. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $40,812. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #20 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $11,975 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $51,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #21 among the best values for public relations & advertising. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $48,063. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras landed the #22 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $24,881. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University landed the #23 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $44,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Western Kentucky University placed #24 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $25,000. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University earned the #25 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Students borrow a median of $22,580 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $38,375. That is a strong return on a $22,580 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public relations & advertising this year:
Other Public Relations & Advertising Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Public Relations & Advertising rankings across degree levels:
View All Public Relations & Advertising Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 605 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 182 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
