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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Public Relations & Advertising

513 Ranked Colleges
21,099 Degrees Awarded
$32,400 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 21,099 people earned their degree in public relations and advertising, making the major the 52nd most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, public relations and advertising graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,287 and had an average of $23,973 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major” ranking looked at 513 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public relations and advertising. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in public relations and advertising.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Public Relations & Advertising

1

Out of the 513 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Universidad del Sagrado Corazon landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Santurce, , this small private not-for-profit school handed out 143 diplomas to qualified ’s public relations students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Universidad del Sagrado Corazon Public Relations & Advertising Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Fashion Institute of Technology. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major. This medium-sized school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 598 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Fashion Institute of Technology

3
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Webber International University
Babson Park, Florida

Out of the 513 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Webber International University landed the #3 spot on the list. Webber International University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Babson Park, Florida. It awarded 18 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at Webber International University

4
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University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Oregon. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major. UO is a large school located in Eugene, Oregon that handed out 609 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at University of Oregon

5
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Ithaca College
Ithaca, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ithaca College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major list. Ithaca, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 147 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Ithaca

6
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Elon University
Elon, North Carolina

With a ranking of #6, Elon University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major list. This medium-sized school is located in Elon, North Carolina, and it awarded 159 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Elon

7
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University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, Florida

With a ranking of #7, University of Florida-Online did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major list. University of Florida-Online is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s public relations degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at University of Florida-Online

8
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Franklin College
Franklin, Indiana

Franklin College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major ranking. Franklin College of Indiana is a private not-for-profit institution located in Franklin, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Franklin College Public Relations & Advertising Report

9

Great Lakes Christian College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major ranking. Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

Full Great Lakes Christian College Public Relations & Advertising Report

10
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Flagler College - St Augustine
Saint Augustine, Florida

Flagler College - St Augustine did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major ranking, coming in at #10. Flagler College - St Augustine is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Augustine, Florida. It awarded 55 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Flagler College - St Augustine Public Relations & Advertising Report

11

With a ranking of #11, University of Puerto Rico - Carolina did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major list. Carolina, is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at UPR Carolina

12
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Butler University
Indianapolis, Indiana

With a ranking of #12, Butler University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at Butler University

13
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College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, Missouri

College of the Ozarks came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major ranking. Hard Work U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Point Lookout, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Hard Work U Public Relations & Advertising Report

14
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Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major list. Syracuse University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Syracuse, New York. It awarded 373 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Syracuse University Public Relations & Advertising Report

15
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Howard University
Washington, District of Columbia

Howard University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major ranking, coming in at #15. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 115 students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Full Howard Public Relations & Advertising Report

16
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Emerson College
Boston, Massachusetts

Emerson College ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major list. Emerson College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 68 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Emerson College Public Relations & Advertising Report

17
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Pepperdine University
Malibu, California

Pepperdine University ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major list. Malibu, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 148 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Pepperdine University

18
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Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major list. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 588 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Michigan State University

19
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Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major ranking, coming in at #19. Freed-Hardeman University is a small school located in Henderson, Tennessee that handed out 21 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Freed-Hardeman University

20
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Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Susquehanna University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major ranking. Susquehanna is located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s public relations degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at Susquehanna

21
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Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major ranking, coming in at #21. Bloomsburg is a public institution located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Bloomsburg Public Relations & Advertising Report

22
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Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio

Otterbein University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major ranking. Otterbein University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Westerville, Ohio. It awarded 32 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at Otterbein University

23

University of Colorado Boulder landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major ranking. This large school is located in Boulder, Colorado, and it awarded 404 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at University of Colorado Boulder

24
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Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major ranking. Bradley is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 69 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Bradley

25

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major ranking, coming in at #25. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 64 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
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Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia
27
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SUNY Fredonia
Fredonia, New York
28
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Florida Southern College
Lakeland, Florida
29
30
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Murray State University
Murray, Kentucky
31
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Suffolk University
Boston, Massachusetts
32
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Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
33
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Mississippi Valley State University
Itta Bena, Mississippi
34
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Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa
35
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Rowan University
Glassboro, New Jersey
36
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Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
37
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Quinnipiac University
Hamden, Connecticut
38
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Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
39
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Washington State University
Pullman, Washington
40
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The University of Tampa
Tampa, Florida
41
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DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois
42
43
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Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, Texas
44
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The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
45
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Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
46
47
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Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
48
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Loras College
Dubuque, Iowa
49
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Florida Memorial University
Miami Gardens, Florida
50
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Culver - Stockton College
Canton, Missouri

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations Major

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
52 Drury University Springfield, MO
53 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
54 Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ
55 Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO
56 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
57 Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH
58 University of Portland Portland, OR
59 Marquette University Milwaukee, WI
60 University of Idaho Moscow, ID
61 William Peace University Raleigh, NC
62 Lee University Cleveland, TN
63 Midway University Midway, KY
64 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
65 American University Washington, DC
Rank College Location
66 Dalton State College Dalton, GA
67 Hastings College Hastings, NE
68 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH
69 Pacific Union College Angwin, CA
70 Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX
71 Trinity Washington University Washington, DC
72 School of Visual Arts New York, NY
73 Buffalo State Buffalo, NY
74 Simpson College Indianola, IA
75 Biola University La Mirada, CA
76 Marist College Poughkeepsie, NY
77 Trinity Christian College Palos Heights, IL

Notes and References

References

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Footnotes

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