2027 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 43 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public relations & advertising schools.
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2027 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public relations & advertising degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
For return on investment in public relations & advertising, no school beat University Of Michigan Dearborn this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $26,516. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
A rank of #2 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,580 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $38,375. Set against $22,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #4 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for public relations & advertising. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Purdue University Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. 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. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $54,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in public relations & advertising this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $54,763 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #7 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #8 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,745 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $38,369. That is a strong return on a $23,745 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $25,270. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $34,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,270 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #11 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $24,245. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $47,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #12 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $46,039. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Wayne State University landed the #13 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $41,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #14 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Albion College earned the #15 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,950. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $26,254. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $40,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $58,088. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #17 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $41,396. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University earned the #18 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $38,020 early in their careers. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northern Michigan University came in at #19 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Students borrow a median of $22,608 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $34,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #20 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $22,574. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Western Michigan University placed #21 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $37,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Grand Valley State University earned the #22 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,377 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $38,172. Set against $26,377 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University came in at #23 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $38,027. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #24 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $41,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Siena Heights University earned the #25 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,778. Students borrow a median of $24,900 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $39,677. That is a strong return on a $24,900 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public relations & advertising:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
