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2027 Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region

43 Colleges in the United States
2,631 Public Relations & Advertising Degrees Awarded
$44,702 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Relations & Advertising is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public relations & advertising students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Public Relations & Advertising in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public relations & advertising education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Public Relations & Advertising

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Madison the best school in the country for a degree in public relations & advertising. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 135 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from University Of Wisconsin Madison

2

Ohio State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Ohio State University Main Campus

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 227 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $54,763 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. See the full public relations & advertising program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

Miami University Oxford came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 150 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $50,700. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Miami University Oxford

5

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations & advertising, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 69 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $58,659 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete this degree. Read more about the public relations & advertising program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

6

Illinois State University came in at #6 for public relations & advertising this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 48 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $43,874. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Read more about the public relations & advertising program at Illinois State University

7

Loyola University Chicago came in at #7 for public relations & advertising this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 81 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $43,308 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Loyola University Chicago

8
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #8 among the best public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 629 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $45,158. Typical student debt for the program is $23,899. See the full public relations & advertising program report for Michigan State University

9

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #9 among the best public relations & advertising schools. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates 63% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater awarded about 14 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Get the full public relations & advertising details for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

10

Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for public relations & advertising this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Bowling Green. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates 61% of students within six years. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 28 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $42,296 in the first couple years of their career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,519 in student loans. Get the full public relations & advertising details for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

11
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University landed the #11 spot for public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Marquette University awarded about 76 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $40,583. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full public relations & advertising program report for Marquette University

12
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. Depaul University awarded about 125 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Depaul University earn around $49,559 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. Read more about the public relations & advertising program at Depaul University

13

University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #13 position for public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 15 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Dearborn in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $62,536 in their early career. University Of Michigan Dearborn graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Read more about the public relations & advertising program at University Of Michigan Dearborn

14

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #14 among the best public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 20 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete this degree. Read more about the public relations & advertising program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

15

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #15 among the best public relations & advertising schools. This large public university is located in the city of Oshkosh. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 50 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $46,039. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Get the full public relations & advertising details for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

16
Marietta College crest
Marietta College
Marietta, OH

Marietta College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. Set in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Marietta College awarded about 13 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Marietta College earn around $79,641 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full public relations & advertising details for Marietta College

17
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University placed #17 among the best public relations & advertising schools. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Butler University awarded about 113 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $39,701. Butler University graduates carry a median of $26,176 in student loans. Read more about the public relations & advertising program at Butler University

18

Ball State University placed #18 among the best public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. Ball State University awarded about 60 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $38,020 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete this degree. See the full public relations & advertising program report for Ball State University

19

Kent State University At Kent ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 57 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $40,867. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full public relations & advertising program report for Kent State University At Kent

20

University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #20 spot for public relations & advertising this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 37 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin River Falls in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn around $47,577 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. See the full public relations & advertising program report for University Of Wisconsin River Falls

21

Eastern Illinois University landed the #21 spot for public relations & advertising this year. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. There were roughly 14 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $38,369 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,745 to complete this degree. See the full public relations & advertising program report for Eastern Illinois University

22

Ohio University Main Campus placed #22 among the best public relations & advertising schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 45 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $49,736 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Ohio University Main Campus

23

Western Michigan University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Western Michigan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Western Michigan University earn around $37,718 in the first couple years of their career. Western Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full public relations & advertising program report for Western Michigan University

24

Grand Valley State University landed the #24 spot for public relations & advertising this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 116 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $38,172 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,377. Get the full public relations & advertising details for Grand Valley State University

25
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #25 spot for public relations & advertising this year. This large public university is located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 26 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan University in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $40,346 early in their careers. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Central Michigan University

Rest of the Top 43 Public Relations & Advertising Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong public relations & advertising education:

26
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
27
28
Albion College crest
Albion College
Albion, MI
29
30
31
32
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN
33
34
35
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
36
37
38
39
40
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
41
42
Franklin College crest
Franklin College
Franklin, IN
43

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 43 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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