2027 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Southeast Region
[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public relations & advertising education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 69 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public relations & advertising students.
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2027 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Southeast Region
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 University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $17,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,099. Set against $17,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $17,439 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $42,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $17,082 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,105 early in their careers. Set against $17,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $34,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #5 place for public relations & advertising. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $13,849. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $46,391 early in their careers. Set against $13,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #6 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $37,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #7 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $52,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Dalton State College earned the #8 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $14,955 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $29,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Florida placed #9 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $18,523. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $48,628 early in their careers. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $41,842 early in their careers. Set against $24,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Murray State University came in at #11 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $22,250. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $38,054. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #12 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,394. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $43,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $40,812. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Western Kentucky University came in at #14 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $25,000. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,534 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Valencia College earned the #15 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $42,786. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Arkansas Tech University earned the #16 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,257 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $45,115. That is a strong return on a $23,257 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $39,819 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $22,444. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $43,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University landed the #19 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $27,737. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Louisiana University landed the #20 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $24,323. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $42,682. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Georgia State University landed the #21 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Middle Georgia State University generally make around $48,207. That is a strong return on a $26,976 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University earned the #22 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $28,493 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $59,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #24 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,192 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $34,920. Set against $25,192 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
West Virginia University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $56,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 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.
