2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Southeast Region
[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public relations & advertising education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 130 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 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
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for public relations & advertising in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,439 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for public relations & advertising. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,439 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $42,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,439 median debt. 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. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $17,082. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $34,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #4 spot this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #5 place for public relations & advertising. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $52,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #6 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $34,435. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #7 position 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $18,750. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $37,388. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Dalton State College landed the #8 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $14,955. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $29,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $24,225. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $41,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #10 for value in public relations & advertising this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. 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. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $48,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University earned the #11 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $38,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Georgia came in at #12 for value in public relations & advertising this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $23,394 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $43,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
West Virginia University landed the #13 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,772. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $56,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Western Kentucky University landed the #14 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Students borrow a median of $23,257 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $45,115. That is a strong return on a $23,257 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #16 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,250. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $43,057. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Louisiana University came in at #18 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of $42,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University landed the #19 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Memphis landed the #20 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $25,000. 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. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University earned the #21 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $27,174. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Troy University placed #22 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $26,439. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Troy University earn a median of $46,723 early in their careers. Set against $26,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Appalachian State University landed the #23 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $21,500. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $36,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #25 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public relations & advertising value ranking:
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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 · 130 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 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.
