by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Relations Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the early-career earnings of their public relations advertising graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send public relations advertising graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
San Jose State University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying public relations advertising schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from San Jose State University make a median of around $75,904 per year.
University Of San Francisco produces some of the highest-paid graduates in public relations advertising, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from University Of San Francisco make a median of around $89,358 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in public relations advertising will find them at University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from University Of Southern California make a median of around $70,555 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Pepperdine University earned it the #4 place for public relations advertising. Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from Pepperdine University typically earn about $75,482 annually.
Chapman University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public relations advertising schools. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from Chapman University typically earn about $75,336 annually.
San Diego State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public relations advertising schools. San Diego State University is a public school located in the city of San Diego. Public Relations Advertising graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of about $69,123 a year early in their careers.
University Of Oregon came in at #7 for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a public institution. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from University Of Oregon typically earn about $71,111 annually.
Gonzaga University came in at #8 for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from Gonzaga University make a median of around $71,987 per year.
National University came in at #9 for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. Public Relations Advertising graduates of National University earn a median of about $50,070 a year early in their careers.
University Of Portland placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for public relations advertising. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public relations advertising program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,521.
Central Washington University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public relations advertising schools. Central Washington University is a public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from Central Washington University make a median of around $55,380 per year.
Washington State University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for public relations advertising. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from Washington State University typically earn about $45,820 annually.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #13 position for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a public school located in the city of Carson. Students who complete the public relations advertising program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,022.
California Baptist University earned the #14 position for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from California Baptist University typically earn about $46,015 annually.
George Fox University came in at #15 for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. George Fox University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. Students who complete the public relations advertising program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,012.
Biola University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public relations advertising schools. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from Biola University typically earn about $36,319 annually.
California State University Long Beach earned the #17 position for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from California State University Long Beach make a median of around $28,226 per year.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their public relations advertising graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 17 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.