by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Relations Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their public relations advertising graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 schools on the early-career earnings of their public relations advertising graduates.
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Below are the schools whose public relations advertising graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked George Washington University the top school for public relations advertising graduate earnings in the United States. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from George Washington University typically earn about $98,321 annually.
San Jose State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public relations advertising schools. San Jose State University is a public school located in the city of San Jose. Public Relations Advertising graduates of San Jose State University earn a median of about $75,904 a year early in their careers.
Long Island University C W Post Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in public relations advertising, landing the #3 spot this year. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. Public Relations Advertising graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of about $75,821 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Mount Saint Mary College earned it the #4 place for public relations advertising. Set in the city of Newburgh, Mount Saint Mary College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public relations advertising program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,602.
A rank of #5 makes American University one of the highest-paying schools for public relations advertising. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public relations advertising program here go on to a median salary of roughly $94,957.
Syracuse University earned the #6 position for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Public Relations Advertising graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of about $83,644 a year early in their careers.
Carthage College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public relations advertising schools. Located in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from Carthage College typically earn about $66,202 annually.
Miami University Hamilton came in at #8 for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Miami University Hamilton is a public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton typically earn about $79,160 annually.
Miami University Middletown placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for public relations advertising. Miami University Middletown is a public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Students who complete the public relations advertising program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,160.
Miami University Oxford ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public relations advertising schools. Miami University Oxford is a public school located in the town of Oxford. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from Miami University Oxford typically earn about $79,160 annually.
Southern Methodist University came in at #11 for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from Southern Methodist University typically earn about $76,143 annually.
Texas Christian University earned the #12 position for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Public Relations Advertising graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of about $81,217 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #13 position for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from The University Of Texas At Austin make a median of around $79,337 per year.
Assumption College landed the #14 spot for public relations advertising salaries this year. Assumption College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from Assumption College make a median of around $73,788 per year.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #15 spot for public relations advertising salaries this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public relations advertising program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,225.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #16 spot for public relations advertising salaries this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Public Relations Advertising graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $75,277 a year early in their careers.
University Of San Francisco landed the #17 spot for public relations advertising salaries this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from University Of San Francisco typically earn about $89,358 annually.
University Of Southern California came in at #18 for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from University Of Southern California typically earn about $70,555 annually.
Johnson And Wales University Online came in at #19 for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Online is a private not-for-profit institution. Public Relations Advertising graduates of Johnson And Wales University Online earn a median of about $71,201 a year early in their careers.
Johnson And Wales University Providence landed the #20 spot for public relations advertising salaries this year. Set in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public relations advertising program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,201.
Pepperdine University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public relations advertising schools. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from Pepperdine University make a median of around $75,482 per year.
Drake University earned the #22 position for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from Drake University make a median of around $75,436 per year.
University Of Miami earned the #23 position for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public relations advertising program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,837.
University Of Georgia earned the #24 position for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. University Of Georgia is a public school located in the city of Athens. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from University Of Georgia make a median of around $73,502 per year.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for public relations advertising. Northwest Missouri State University is a public school located in the town of Maryville. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University typically earn about $56,065 annually.
These schools also send public relations advertising graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Public Relations Advertising rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries public relations advertising graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.