2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in Kentucky
[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 11 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 Kentucky
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 Northern Kentucky University, our #1 best value for public relations & advertising in Kentucky. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,225 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #2 place for public relations & advertising. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $22,250. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $38,054 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Morehead State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $27,737 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #4 spot 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. 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.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Kentucky one of the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,813 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $45,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Midway College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the rural area of Midway, Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,110 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,723 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Midway College earn a median of $42,586 early in their careers. Set against $26,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
