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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying public relations advertising schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send public relations advertising graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Michigan State University, our #1 for public relations advertising graduate salaries in Michigan. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students who complete the public relations advertising program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,448.
Central Michigan University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in public relations advertising, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from Central Michigan University make a median of around $60,505 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in public relations advertising will find them at Wayne State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a public institution. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from Wayne State University make a median of around $58,814 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Eastern Michigan University earned it the #4 place for public relations advertising. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from Eastern Michigan University make a median of around $54,771 per year.
Western Michigan University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in public relations advertising, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Students who complete the public relations advertising program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,951.
Grand Valley State University earned the #6 position for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Grand Valley State University is a public school located in the town of Allendale. Early-career public relations advertising graduates from Grand Valley State University make a median of around $55,205 per year.
Siena Heights University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public relations advertising schools. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a private not-for-profit institution. Public Relations Advertising graduates of Siena Heights University earn a median of about $52,812 a year early in their careers.
Ferris State University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for public relations advertising. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a public institution. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from Ferris State University typically earn about $53,599 annually.
Northern Michigan University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for public relations advertising. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, public relations advertising degree recipients from Northern Michigan University typically earn about $52,585 annually.
Oakland University came in at #10 for public relations advertising graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a public institution. Students who complete the public relations advertising program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,299.
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 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.