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2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

51 Ranked Colleges
3,669 Degrees Awarded
$15,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 21,099 people earned their degree in public relations and advertising, making the major the 52nd most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, public relations and advertising graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,287 and had an average of $23,973 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,669 public relations and advertising graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,239 and $24,698 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking analyzed 51 colleges that offered a degree in public relations and advertising. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public relations and advertising programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public relations and advertising program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region public relations students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Relations & Advertising in the Great Lakes Region

1
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Michigan University landed the #1 spot on the list. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 101 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public relations students list, Central Michigan has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $16,007 for great lakes region public relations students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Central Michigan

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized school is located in River Falls, Wisconsin, and it awarded 64 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - River Falls, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $13,844 for great lakes region public relations students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Public Relations & Advertising Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region. This fairly large school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 56 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Eau Claire, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,051 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students per year to attend UW - Eau Claire.

Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Public Relations & Advertising Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grand Valley State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region. GVSU is a large school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 208 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

GVSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Valley State University is $17,356 for great lakes region public relations students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at Grand Valley State University

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Athens, Ohio, and it awarded 32 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

OHIO Athens not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio University - Athens Campus is $23,831 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at OHIO Athens

6
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Ashland, Ohio, and it awarded 16 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Ashland not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $20,974 for great lakes region public relations students per year to attend Ashland.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Ashland University

7
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WMU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WMU is $20,371 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at WMU

8
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Big Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 25 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ferris State University is $12,213 for great lakes region public relations students.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at Ferris State University

9

University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #9. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Akron, Ohio that handed out 76 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,945 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students per year to attend University of Akron Main Campus.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Public Relations & Advertising Report

10
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, Ohio

Franklin University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 23 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Franklin University is $7,201 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Franklin University

11

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a fairly large public school situated in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It awarded 28 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is $14,687 for great lakes region public relations students.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

12
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Charleston, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,098 for great lakes region public relations students per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Eastern Illinois University

13
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Eastern Michigan is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan is $15,127 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students.

Full Eastern Michigan Public Relations & Advertising Report

14

With a ranking of #14, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school awarded 89 degrees to qualified ’s public relations students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $20,830 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at Illinois State

15

Cleveland State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 121 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cleveland State University, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland State University is $16,943 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Cleveland State University

16

Kent State University at Kent ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Kent, Ohio, this large public school handed out 55 degrees to qualified ’s public relations students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,117 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students per year to attend Kent State.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at Kent State

17
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 111 students in 2020-2021.

Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $14,765 for great lakes region public relations students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ball State Public Relations & Advertising Report

18

Youngstown State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Youngstown, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $12,225 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students.

Full Youngstown State University Public Relations & Advertising Report

19

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #19. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $12,416 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students per year to attend IUPUI.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

20

Sinclair Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #20. Sinclair Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 17 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $4,959 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at Sinclair Community College

21

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Bowling Green, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $18,558 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students per year to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

22

With a ranking of #22, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 247 diplomas to qualified ’s public relations students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,321 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

23
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s public relations degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,449 for great lakes region public relations students per year to attend Oakland University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakland Public Relations & Advertising Report

24
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Bradley University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 69 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Bradley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $25,196 for great lakes region public relations students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Bradley University Public Relations & Advertising Report

25

Miami University - Hamilton came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Miami University - Hamilton is a small school located in Hamilton, Ohio that handed out 9 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Hamilton is $13,163 for great lakes region public relations students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at Miami University - Hamilton

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