2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 123 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public relations & advertising students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Sinclair Community College earned the #1 spot for value among public relations & advertising schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $12,525. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $35,348. 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 Ivy Tech Community College, which ranked #2. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $54,763. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in public relations & advertising will find it at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh, which ranked #4. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Ferris State University one of the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $22,580 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $38,375. Set against $22,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #6 among the best values for public relations & advertising. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #7 on our 2026 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, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,270 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $34,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $25,800. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. 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. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,745 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $38,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #10 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. 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.
Oakland University came in at #11 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $24,975. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $40,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Purdue University Global came in at #12 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, 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. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
Ball State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $38,020. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Wayne State University earned the #14 position for value in public relations & advertising 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, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $41,306. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Central Michigan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $40,346. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #16 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $41,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in public relations & advertising this year. 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, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $22,053. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #18 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $22,574. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Toledo landed the #19 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $24,923. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Albion College came in at #20 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. In-state tuition and fees average $56,950. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $26,254. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Albion College earn a median of $40,829 early in their careers. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
Cleveland State University came in at #21 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. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $26,750. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $38,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University placed #22 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,377 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Siena Heights University placed #23 among the best values for public relations & advertising. 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. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $39,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University placed #24 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $43,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #25 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $27,000. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $37,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public relations & advertising this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 123 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
