College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools

262 Colleges in the United States
21,099 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
$38,287 Avg Early-Career Salary
A degree in public relations & advertising is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #52 out of 395 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 262 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public relations & advertising students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 21,099 degrees in public relations & advertising during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Public Relations & Advertising School

Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools Your choice of public relations & advertising school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Public Relations & Advertising School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Public Relations & Advertising Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Public Relations
Bachelor's Degrees in Public Relations
Master's Degrees in Public Relations
Doctor's Degrees in Public Relations

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Public Relations & Advertising in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the public relations degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Public Relations

1
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
157 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
$76,798 Median Starting Salary

It's difficult to beat Georgetown University if you wish to pursue a degree in public relations & advertising. Located in the large city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.

There were roughly 157 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising degree recipients from Georgetown University receive an earnings boost of around $38,511 above the typical income of public relations & advertising majors.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Georgetown University

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
178 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
$49,816 Median Starting Salary

It is hard to beat University of Southern California if you wish to pursue a degree in public relations & advertising. USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 178 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising degree recipients from University of Southern California earn a boost of around $11,529 above the typical income of public relations & advertising majors.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from University of Southern California

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
616 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
0.2% Growth in Graduates

It's hard to beat The University of Texas at Austin if you wish to pursue a degree in public relations & advertising. Located in the city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #36 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UT Austin is a great university overall.

There were approximately 616 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising degree recipients from The University of Texas at Austin earn a boost of around $6,322 above the typical earnings of public relations & advertising graduates.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from The University of Texas at Austin

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
54 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
7.4% Growth in Graduates

Northwestern University is a wonderful choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising. Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were approximately 54 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising degree recipients from Northwestern University earn a boost of about $21,511 over the typical income of public relations & advertising majors.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Northwestern University

5
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
148 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
29.7% Growth in Graduates

Boston U is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston. A Best Colleges rank of #54 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Boston U is a great university overall.

There were approximately 148 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the public relations & advertising program at Boston University get $17,556 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Boston University

6
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
409 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
0.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were roughly 409 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, public relations degree recipients typically make around $40,235 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from University of Florida

7
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
114 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
9.6% Growth in Graduates

GWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of #49 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means GWU is a great university overall.

There were about 114 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent year we have data available. Those public relations & advertising students who get their degree from George Washington University make $17,414 more than the standard public relations student.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from George Washington University

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MN
83 Public Relations Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #51 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were about 83 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
148 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
26.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 16th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 148 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising degree recipients from Pepperdine University earn a boost of around $8,493 over the typical earnings of public relations & advertising graduates.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Pepperdine University

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
107 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
$42,606 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Dallas, SMU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #73 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means SMU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 107 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at SMU in the most recent year we have data available. Those public relations & advertising students who get their degree from Southern Methodist University receive $4,319 more than the average public relations graduate.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Southern Methodist University

11
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
588 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
10.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 588 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the public relations program state that they receive average early career earnings of $38,973.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Michigan State University

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
247 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
$54,541 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 247 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. Those public relations & advertising students who get their degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign receive $16,254 more than the standard public relations graduate.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

13
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
176 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
13.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Coral Gables, U Miami is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were about 176 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at U Miami in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the public relations program earn about $40,082 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from University of Miami

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
384 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
$40,201 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were about 384 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the public relations program state that they receive average early career earnings of $40,201.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from University of Georgia

15
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
373 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
$50,861 Median Starting Salary

Syracuse is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Syracuse. This university ranks 12th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 373 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent year we have data available. Those public relations & advertising students who get their degree from Syracuse University receive $12,574 more than the average public relations grad.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Syracuse University

16
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
262 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
11.1% Growth in Graduates

UNL is a very large public university located in the city of Lincoln. This university ranks 2nd out of 19 colleges for overall quality in the state of Nebraska.

There were approximately 262 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at UNL in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the public relations program state that they receive average early career earnings of $39,532.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from University of Nebraska - Lincoln

17
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
340 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
$38,904 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Tuscaloosa, UA is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 40 colleges for overall quality in the state of Alabama.

There were roughly 340 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at UA in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the public relations program make an average of $38,904 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from The University of Alabama

18
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
346 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
5.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 11th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 346 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Temple in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, public relations degree recipients usually make around $37,662 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Temple University

19
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
307 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
6.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the distant town of Pullman, Wazzu is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were about 307 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Wazzu in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the public relations program make about $39,530 for their early career.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Washington State University

20
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
609 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
17.1% Growth in Graduates

UO is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Eugene. This university ranks 2nd out of 30 colleges for overall quality in the state of Oregon.

There were roughly 609 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at UO in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the public relations program earn about $36,861 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from University of Oregon

21
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
103 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
$39,394 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Fort Worth, TCU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were roughly 103 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at TCU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the public relations program state that they receive average early career wages of $39,394.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Texas Christian University

22
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
417 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
15.6% Growth in Graduates

Texas Tech is a very large public university located in the large city of Lubbock. This university ranks 9th out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were about 417 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the public relations & advertising degree program at Texas Tech University get $7,747 above the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Texas Tech University

23
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
146 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
$44,717 Median Starting Salary

Miami University - Oxford is a large public university located in the town of Oxford. This university ranks 3rd out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were approximately 146 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent data year. Those public relations & advertising students who get their degree from Miami University - Oxford earn $6,430 more than the standard public relations student.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Miami University - Oxford

24
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
404 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
6.7% Growth in Graduates

CU - Boulder is a fairly large public university located in the city of Boulder. This university ranks 2nd out of 33 colleges for overall quality in the state of Colorado.

There were about 404 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at CU - Boulder in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising degree recipients from University of Colorado Boulder earn a boost of about $4,676 above the average income of public relations & advertising graduates.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from University of Colorado Boulder

25
The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
125 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
$48,123 Median Starting Salary

The American University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington. This university ranks 3rd out of 8 colleges for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.

There were approximately 125 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at The American University in the most recent year we have data available. Those public relations & advertising students who get their degree from American University earn $9,836 more than the average public relations student.

More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from American University

Rest of the Top Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools

26
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
27
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
28
29
30
31
32
Emerson crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA

33
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL

34
35
36
37
Rowan crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
38
39
Gonzaga crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Public Relations & Advertising students that almost earned our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools award.

Rank College Location
40 Chapman University Orange, CA
41 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
42 University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI
43 Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NY
44 Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT
45 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
46 Suffolk University Boston, MA
47 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
48 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
49 Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
50 Ball State University Muncie, IN
51 Belmont University Nashville, TN
52 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA

Public Relations & Advertising by Region

View the Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Public Relations & Advertising is one of 5 different types of Communication & Journalism programs to choose from.

Public Relations Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Public Relations 5,216
Advertising 4,918
Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication 4,203
General Organizational Communication 2,013
Other Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication 1,553
Communication Management and Strategic Communications 1,397
Sports Communication 729
Health Communication 410
International & Intercultural Communication 256
Technical & Scientific Communication 217

View All Public Relations Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Communication & Media Studies 66,787
Radio, Television & Digital Communication 17,669
Journalism 13,552
Communication & Journalism (Other) 1,128
Publishing 336

View All Public Relations Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options