2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 104 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public relations & advertising students.
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2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public relations & advertising, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Queens College, our #1 best value for public relations & advertising in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $41,847. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Delaware came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $24,861. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Montclair State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. 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. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Kean University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $48,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland University College earned it the #5 place for public relations & advertising. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $65,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Towson University came in at #6 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $21,241. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Stony Brook University landed the #7 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #8 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #9 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $37,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #10 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $26,330. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,294 early in their careers. Set against $26,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #12 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,450. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $33,126. Set against $23,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Wilmington University placed #13 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $32,308. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $40,408. Set against $32,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canisius College earned the #14 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $34,200. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $42,672 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #15 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Fashion Institute Of Technology earned the #16 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $16,750. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $28,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #17 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Rowan University earned the #18 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $35,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #19 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $58,402. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Hood College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Frederick, Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,703 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Hood College earn a median of $59,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,703 median debt. Hood College admits about 78% of applicants.
Rider University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $45,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Point Park University earned the #22 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,570. Students borrow a median of $28,850 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $32,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Susquehanna University placed #23 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,850. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $36,632. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
St Johns University New York ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $26,848 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $43,585. Set against $26,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Bonaventure University came in at #25 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the town of Saint Bonaventure, Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,735 in tuition and fees. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,917 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Saint Bonaventure University earn a median of $43,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 45 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), 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 · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
