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2025 Best Public Relations & Advertising Bachelor's Degree Schools

182 Colleges in the United States
16,847 Bachelor's Degrees
$39,405 Avg Early-Career Salary
Public Relations & Advertising is of the hottest bachelor's degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #32 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual reviewed 182 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for bachelor's degree seekers in the field of public relations & advertising. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 16,847 bachelor's degrees in public relations & advertising during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Public Relations & Advertising School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Public Relations & Advertising Bachelor's Degree Schools Your choice of public relations & advertising for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Average Early-Career Salaries

Average early-career salary of those graduating with their bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your bachelor's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for public relations & advertising students working on their bachelor's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Public Relations Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The public relations school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Public Relations & Advertising Bachelor's Degree Schools.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Public Relations & Advertising in the United States

The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in public relations & advertising. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Public Relations

1
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
276 Annual Graduates

Any student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in public relations & advertising needs to check out Boston University. Boston U is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston.More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from Boston University

2
506 Annual Graduates
$47,972 Median Starting Salary
$29,249 Median Student Debt

It is difficult to beat The University of Texas at Austin if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in public relations & advertising. Located in the city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Public Relations & Advertising bachelor's degree recipients from The University of Texas at Austin receive an earnings boost of about $8,567 above the typical earnings of public relations & advertising majors.

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

3
149 Annual Graduates

Every student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in public relations & advertising has to look into University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Located in the large city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

4
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
198 Annual Graduates
$54,934 Median Starting Salary
$60,568 Median Student Debt

Every student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in public relations & advertising needs to take a look at Syracuse University. Syracuse is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Syracuse.

Those public relations & advertising students who get their bachelor's degree from Syracuse University receive $15,529 more than the average public relations graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from Syracuse University

5
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
552 Annual Graduates
$45,158 Median Starting Salary
$47,071 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the public relations & advertising degree program at Michigan State University get $5,753 more than the average college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from Michigan State University

6
310 Annual Graduates
$45,326 Median Starting Salary
$25,817 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the public relations & advertising program at University of Georgia get $5,921 above the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from University of Georgia

7
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
369 Annual Graduates
$42,099 Median Starting Salary
$28,004 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Public Relations & Advertising bachelor's degree recipients from University of Florida get an earnings boost of about $2,694 over the average income of public relations & advertising graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from University of Florida

8
120 Annual Graduates
$51,828 Median Starting Salary
$61,236 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Dallas, SMU is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the public relations & advertising major at Southern Methodist University get $12,423 more than the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from Southern Methodist University

9
77 Annual Graduates
$50,041 Median Starting Salary
$46,000 Median Student Debt

USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles.

Public Relations & Advertising bachelor's degree recipients from University of Southern California receive an earnings boost of approximately $10,636 above the average earnings of public relations & advertising majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from University of Southern California

10
45 Annual Graduates

GWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington.More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from George Washington University

11
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
249 Annual Graduates
$41,165 Median Starting Salary
$50,250 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Temple is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the public relations program report average early career income of $41,165.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from Temple University

12
301 Annual Graduates
$45,820 Median Starting Salary
$30,496 Median Student Debt

Located in the town of Pullman, Wazzu is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Public Relations & Advertising bachelor's degree recipients from Washington State University earn a boost of approximately $6,415 above the typical income of public relations & advertising graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from Washington State University

13
470 Annual Graduates
$42,159 Median Starting Salary
$67,807 Median Student Debt

UO is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Eugene.

Public Relations & Advertising bachelor's degree recipients from University of Oregon get an earnings boost of around $2,754 above the typical income of public relations & advertising graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from University of Oregon

14
200 Annual Graduates
$48,063 Median Starting Salary
$41,737 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the public relations & advertising program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earn $8,658 above the average college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

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

15
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
168 Annual Graduates
$41,234 Median Starting Salary
$50,715 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the public relations program report average early career income of $41,234.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from DePaul University

16
321 Annual Graduates
$42,445 Median Starting Salary
$86,363 Median Student Debt

UA is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Tuscaloosa.

Public Relations & Advertising bachelor's degree recipients from The University of Alabama get an earnings boost of approximately $3,040 above the typical earnings of public relations & advertising graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from The University of Alabama

17
127 Annual Graduates
$45,988 Median Starting Salary
$79,119 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.

Public Relations & Advertising bachelor's degree recipients from Pepperdine University get an earnings boost of around $6,583 above the average income of public relations & advertising majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from Pepperdine University

18
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
100 Annual Graduates
$40,583 Median Starting Salary
$51,864 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the public relations program earn about $40,583 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from Marquette University

19
176 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from Elon University

20
The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
132 Annual Graduates
$50,026 Median Starting Salary
$85,388 Median Student Debt

The American University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington.

Bachelor's recipients from the public relations & advertising degree program at American University get $10,621 more than the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from American University

21
239 Annual Graduates
$42,168 Median Starting Salary
$41,286 Median Student Debt

UNL is a very large public university located in the city of Lincoln.

Public Relations & Advertising bachelor's degree recipients from University of Nebraska - Lincoln receive an earnings boost of about $2,763 over the typical earnings of public relations & advertising graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from University of Nebraska - Lincoln

22
Rowan crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
190 Annual Graduates
$35,116 Median Starting Salary
$34,972 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan is a public university with a fairly large student population.

After graduating, public relations bachelor's recipients usually earn about $35,116 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from Rowan University

23
292 Annual Graduates
$41,023 Median Starting Salary
$28,718 Median Student Debt

Texas Tech is a very large public university located in the large city of Lubbock.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the public relations program earn about $41,023 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from Texas Tech University

24
156 Annual Graduates
$50,700 Median Starting Salary
$63,000 Median Student Debt

Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public university located in the town of Oxford.

Public Relations & Advertising bachelor's degree recipients from Miami University - Oxford earn a boost of around $11,295 over the average income of public relations & advertising majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from Miami University - Oxford

25
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
162 Annual Graduates
$43,917 Median Starting Salary
$60,502 Median Student Debt

U Miami is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Coral Gables.

Bachelor's recipients from the public relations & advertising major at University of Miami earn $4,512 above the typical college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in public relations & advertising from University of Miami

Rest of the Top Best Public Relations & Advertising Bachelor's Degree Schools

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27
Ithaca crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY
28
Emerson crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA
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35
Butler crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN
36

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Public Relations & Advertising Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
37 Ball State University Muncie, IN
38 Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
39 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
40 University of Houston Houston, TX
41 Chapman University Orange, CA
42 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
43 Drake University Des Moines, IA
44 Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ
45 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
46 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
47 Bradley University Peoria, IL
48 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ
49 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT
50 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
51 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
52 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
53 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
54 University of North Texas Denton, TX
55 Illinois State University Normal, IL
56 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
57 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
58 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY
59 Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, PA
60 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI

Public Relations & Advertising by Region

View the Best Public Relations & Advertising Bachelor's Degree 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

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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 4,349
Advertising 4,232
Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication 3,530
General Organizational Communication 1,481
Other Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication 1,147
Communication Management and Strategic Communications 1,085
Sports Communication 661
Health Communication 148
Technical & Scientific Communication 86
Political Communication 69

Related Major Annual Graduates
Communication & Media Studies 50,059
Radio, Television & Digital Communication 11,646
Journalism 10,632
Communication & Journalism (Other) 663
Publishing 92

Notes and References

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