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2023 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

312 Colleges
$20,081 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$38,287 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Public Relations & Advertising School for You

Public Relations & Advertising is the #52 most popular major in the country with 21,099 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 312 schools in the United States to see which programs offered the best value experiences for public relations students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

2023 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the United States

Check out the public relations programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.

Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Public Relations & Advertising

Our analysis found Brigham Young University - Provo to be the best value school for public relations and advertising students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. BYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BYU are $6,120 per year. While working on their degree, public relations majors at BYU accumulate an average of around $11,974 in student debt.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, BYU also did well on our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Brigham Young University - Provo

Out of the 312 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan State University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Metro State is a medium-sized public school located in the large city of Saint Paul.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Metro State are $9,394 per year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Metro State also did well on our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at Metropolitan State University Report

#3

Franklin University

Columbus, OH
$9,577 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Franklin University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. Located in the large city of Columbus, Franklin University is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Franklin University are $9,577 per year. While working on their degree, public relations majors at Franklin University accumulate an average of around $40,666 in student debt.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at Franklin University Report

#4

Bellevue University

Bellevue, NE

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Bellevue University is a great value for public relations and advertising students. Located in the large suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bellevue University are $8,310 per year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Bellevue University also is in the top 10% of our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking.

Read More…

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend South Dakota State University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. South Dakota State is a large public school located in the remote town of Brookings.

South Dakota State undergraduate students pay an average of $12,809 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, public relations majors at South Dakota State accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.

In addition to its great value ranking, South Dakota State is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools list.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at South Dakota State University

University of Maryland Global Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for public relations and advertising students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, UMGC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UMGC are $12,336 per year.

In addition to its great value ranking, UMGC is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools list.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at University of Maryland Global Campus

#7

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL

University of Florida-Online landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value public relations and advertising programs. Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, UF Online is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UF Online are $16,579 per year. While working on their degree, public relations majors at UF Online accumulate an average of around $17,500 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $234, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

In addition to its great value ranking, UF Online is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools list.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at University of Florida-Online Report

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for public relations and advertising students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Fargo, North Dakota State University is a public college with a fairly large student population.

North Dakota State University undergraduate students pay an average of $14,876 in tuition and fees each year. Public Relations majors at North Dakota State University take out an average of $24,750 in student loans while working on their egree.

North Dakota State University also claimed a spot on our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

#9

University of Dayton

Dayton, OH

University of Dayton did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for public relations and advertising students. It came in at #9 on the list. UDayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Dayton.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UDayton are $44,890 per year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UDayton also is in the top 10% of our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at University of Dayton

$13,392 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for public relations and advertising students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the large city of Boston, Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network undergraduate students pay an average of $13,392 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network

#10

Ashland University

Ashland, OH
$23,090 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Ashland University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for public relations and advertising students. Ashland is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Ashland are $23,090 a year. While working on their degree, public relations majors at Ashland accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at Ashland University Report

Miami University - Hamilton landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value public relations and advertising programs. Located in the large suburb of Hamilton, Miami University - Hamilton is a public college with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Miami University - Hamilton are $16,943 a year. Public Relations majors at Miami University - Hamilton take out an average of $24,000 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $511.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Miami University - Hamilton also did well on our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read More…

$6,120 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Universidad del Sagrado Corazon did quite well on this year’s best value schools for public relations and advertising students. Sagrado is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Santurce.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Sagrado are $6,120 per year. While working on their degree, public relations majors at Sagrado accumulate an average of around $12,100 in student debt.

Read More…

$13,365 Average Tuition & Fees

Johnson & Wales University - Online did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for public relations and advertising students. It came in at #14 on the list. JWU Online is a small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Providence.

JWU Online undergraduate students pay an average of $13,365 in tuition and fees each year. Public Relations majors at JWU Online take out an average of $24,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at Johnson & Wales University - Online Report

#15

Villanova University

Villanova, PA

Villanova University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value public relations and advertising programs. Villanova is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova.

Villanova undergraduate students pay an average of $59,020 in tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Villanova also is in the top 5% of our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at Villanova University Report

#15

University of Delaware

Newark, DE

University of Delaware came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking. UD is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Newark.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UD are $36,880 per year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UD also is in the top 10% of our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at University of Delaware Report

$16,052 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #17, Clarion University of Pennsylvania did quite well on this year’s best value schools for public relations and advertising students. Clarion University is a small public school located in the remote town of Clarion.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Clarion University are $16,052 a year.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Clarion University of Pennsylvania

#18

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, IN
$14,436 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #18, Purdue University Global did quite well on this year’s best value schools for public relations and advertising students. Located in the small city of Indianapolis, Purdue University Global is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Purdue University Global are $14,436 a year.

Read More…

#19

Miami University - Middletown

Middletown, OH

With a ranking of #19, Miami University - Middletown did quite well on this year’s best value schools for public relations and advertising students. Located in the small suburb of Middletown, Miami University - Middletown is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Miami University - Middletown are $17,303 a year. The average amount in student loans that public relations majors at Miami University - Middletown take out is $24,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $511.

Miami University - Middletown also claimed a spot on our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Miami University - Middletown

#20

Marist College

Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking. Marist is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Poughkeepsie.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Marist are $41,305 per year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Marist is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools list.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at Marist College Report

$23,900 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, Concordia University, Saint Paul did quite well on this year’s best value schools for public relations and advertising students. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University, Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

Concordia University, Saint Paul undergraduate students pay an average of $23,900 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Concordia University, Saint Paul

#21

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for public relations and advertising students. It came in at #21 on the list. San Jose State is a fairly large public school located in the city of San Jose.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at San Jose State are $19,732 a year.

San Jose State excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools list.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at San Jose State University

#23

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, IN

With a ranking of #23, Valparaiso University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for public relations and advertising students. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valpo is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Valpo undergraduate students pay an average of $44,796 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value public relations and advertising programs. UW - River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of River Falls.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW - River Falls are $15,661 per year.

UW - River Falls also claimed a spot on our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

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

#25

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI
$13,094 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Michigan University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value public relations and advertising programs. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan is a public school with a large student population.

Central Michigan undergraduate students pay an average of $13,094 in tuition and fees each year. On average, public relations graduates from Central Michigan take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $258.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at Central Michigan University Report

Rest of the Top Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools

#29

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, MO
#30

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, OH
#31

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA
#32

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI
#34

National University

La Jolla, CA
#35

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL
#36

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND
#38

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA
#39

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL
#44

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN

Honorable Mentions

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

Rank College Location
47 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
48 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
49 Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX
50 Trinity Washington University Washington, DC
51 Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
52 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
53 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
54 Iowa State University Ames, IA
55 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
56 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
57 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ
58 Sinclair Community College Dayton, OH
59 Minnesota State University - Moorhead Moorhead, MN
59 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA
61 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
62 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS

Public Relations & Advertising by Region

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

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

One of 5 majors within the area of study, public relations and advertising has other similar majors worth exploring.

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

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Bill Koplitz.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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