2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 schools to find the best return on investment for public relations & advertising students.
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2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public relations & advertising, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
For return on investment in public relations & advertising, no school beat Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $44,294. Set against $26,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania State University World Campus one of the best values for public relations & advertising. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Point Park University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,570. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $28,850 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $32,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Susquehanna University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Selinsgrove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,850. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $27,000. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $36,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Messiah College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $26,195 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $48,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,195 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Thomas Jefferson University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Students borrow a median of $32,256 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $64,243. Set against $32,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Temple University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $26,000. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $41,165. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Scranton placed #9 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,777 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $26,000. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $35,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Duquesne University earned the #11 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $26,000. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $39,651. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University landed the #12 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $41,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
