2027 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Southwest 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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 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 Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public relations & advertising, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
El Paso Community College earned the #1 spot for value among public relations & advertising schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in public relations & advertising will find it at The University Of Texas At El Paso, which ranked #2. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $33,280. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public relations & advertising will find it at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $36,920 early in their careers. Set against $21,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,847 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $43,692 early in their careers. Set against $20,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,800 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $42,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,800 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $20,718. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $45,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas came in at #7 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #8 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $21,764 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $40,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,062 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $34,752. That is a strong return on a $22,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Texas Tech University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $50,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #11 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $51,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #12 for value in public relations & advertising this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $36,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University earned the #13 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Students borrow a median of $25,100 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $37,307. Set against $25,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Lubbock Christian University landed the #14 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,540 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $28,337. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Lubbock Christian University generally make around $49,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Oral Roberts University landed the #15 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $28,022 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $41,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Abilene Christian University placed #16 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,200. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Texas Christian University landed the #17 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $48,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University earned the #18 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $51,828 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University earned the #19 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,928. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
