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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find where public relations advertising graduates earn the most.
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.
Our analysis ranked Drake University the top school for public relations advertising graduate earnings in Iowa. 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.
Iowa State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public relations advertising schools. Iowa State University is a public school located in the city of Ames. Public Relations Advertising graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of about $63,153 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the highest-paying schools for public relations advertising. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Public Relations Advertising graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $57,636 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in public relations advertising will find them at Loras College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras 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 $58,304.
A rank of #5 makes Simpson College one of the highest-paying schools for public relations advertising. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Public Relations Advertising graduates of Simpson College earn a median of about $41,925 a year early in their careers.
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 · 5 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.