2026 Best Value Public Relations Advertising Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Public Relations Advertising certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 509 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Public Relations Advertising Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Out of the 509 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #2 spot. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public school based in Jonesboro, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Arkansas State University Main Campus Public Relations Advertising students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Median earnings reach $42,617 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Arkansas State University Main Campus report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Dakota earned it the #3 place in the United States. This public school is set in Grand Forks, ND. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. The median Public Relations Advertising program debt is $25,110. University Of North Dakota alumni report median earnings of $63,552 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of North Dakota report
Out of the 509 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #4 spot. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public school based in Oshkosh, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete their Public Relations Advertising program here. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumni report median earnings of $55,548 a decade after entry. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh has an acceptance rate of 86%. See the full University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh profile
A rank of #5 makes Ferris State University one of the best values in the United States. Set in Big Rapids, MI, Ferris State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical Public Relations Advertising student debt is $22,580. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,735. That is a strong return on a $22,580 median debt. Ferris State University has an acceptance rate of 91%. Get the full Ferris State University report
Saint Cloud State University placed #6 among the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools in the United States. Based in Saint Cloud, MN, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical Public Relations Advertising student debt is $25,076. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,813. That is a strong return on a $25,076 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants. Read more about Saint Cloud State University
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Based in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,561. Set against $22,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire has an acceptance rate of 82%. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical Public Relations Advertising student debt is $21,577. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities alumni report median earnings of $69,020 a decade after entry. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
Western Michigan University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools. Set in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,562. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%. Read the full report on Western Michigan University
University Of Florida placed #10 among the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools in the United States. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $17,439 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. Set against $17,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Florida
University Of Georgia offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. Median earnings reach $68,726 ten years out. Set against $23,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia has an acceptance rate of 38%. Get the full University Of Georgia report
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Relations Advertising student debt is $21,813. University Of Wisconsin Madison alumni report median earnings of $73,792 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #14 among the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools in the United States. This public school is set in Austin, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $20,995 to complete their Public Relations Advertising program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,121. That is a strong return on a $20,995 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
Dixie State College Of Utah landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Saint George, UT, Dixie State College Of Utah is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Students borrow a median of $18,666 to complete their Public Relations Advertising program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,570. Set against $18,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Dixie State College Of Utah
Wichita State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools. Located in Wichita, KS, Wichita State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,532 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%. Read more about Wichita State University
Rowan University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools. This public school is set in Glassboro, NJ. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete their Public Relations Advertising program here. Median earnings reach $59,988 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants. Get the full Rowan University report
Arizona State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Graduates carry a median of $20,847 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,668. Set against $20,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University has an acceptance rate of 90%. Read more about Arizona State University
Boise State University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Boise State University is a public school based in Boise, ID. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. The median Public Relations Advertising program debt is $22,977. Boise State University alumni report median earnings of $51,658 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boise State University has an acceptance rate of 87%. More on Boise State University
University Of Kentucky landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. The median Public Relations Advertising program debt is $24,813. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,025 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,813 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Kentucky
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Median earnings reach $55,198 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants. Read the full report on Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public school based in Dearborn, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete their Public Relations Advertising program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,649. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn has an acceptance rate of 56%. More on University Of Michigan Dearborn
Boston University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical Public Relations Advertising student debt is $25,232. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $83,238. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Boston University has an acceptance rate of 11%. Get the full Boston University report
Ohio Media School Valley View offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Valley View, OH, Ohio Media School Valley View is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $15,833 to complete their Public Relations Advertising program here. Median earnings reach $37,423 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,833 median debt. See the full Ohio Media School Valley View profile
The Ohio Media School Columbus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools. The Ohio Media School Columbus is a private for-profit school based in Columbus, OH. Students borrow a median of $15,833 to complete their Public Relations Advertising program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,423. That is a strong return on a $15,833 median debt. Read more about The Ohio Media School Columbus
Ohio Media School Cincinnati placed #25 among the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools in the United States. Ohio Media School Cincinnati is a private for-profit school based in Norwood, OH. Graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Ohio Media School Cincinnati alumni report median earnings of $28,918 a decade after entry. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Ohio Media School Cincinnati profile
Illinois Media School Chicago Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Chicago, IL, Illinois Media School Chicago Campus is a private for-profit institution. The median Public Relations Advertising program debt is $15,833. Median earnings reach $38,284 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Illinois Media School Chicago Campus report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Public Relations Advertising Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Colorado Media School placed #25 among the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Denver, CO. The median Public Relations Advertising program debt is $15,833. Median earnings reach $37,423 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Colorado Media School profile
Illinois Media School came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, Illinois Media School is a private for-profit institution. Typical Public Relations Advertising student debt is $15,833. Illinois Media School alumni report median earnings of $38,284 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Illinois Media School
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools. Get the full Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania report
Depaul University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read more about Depaul University
Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read more about Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce
School Of Visual Arts came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full School Of Visual Arts profile
Trinity Christian College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on Trinity Christian College
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #33 among the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Missouri St Louis report
Brigham Young University Provo placed #34 among the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools in the United States. See the full Brigham Young University Provo profile
Regent University came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. More on Regent University
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. See the full Rochester Institute Of Technology profile
University Of Dayton came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Dayton
University Of Portland landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Portland
Creighton University came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. More on Creighton University
Cuny Queens College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Cuny Queens College
Morehouse College landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Morehouse College
Nebraska Wesleyan University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Nebraska Wesleyan University report
Husson University landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Husson University profile
Siena College
Siena College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools. More on Siena College
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #45 among the best-value Public Relations Advertising schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Doane College Crete came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Doane College Crete report
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full North Dakota State University Main Campus report
Dordt College
Dordt College came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Dordt College
Oklahoma City University came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Oklahoma City University
Southeastern University landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Southeastern University report
Related Public Relations Advertising Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Public Relations Advertising Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Public Relations Advertising Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Public Relations Advertising Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Public Relations Advertising Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Public Relations Advertising Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Public Relations Advertising Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Public Relations Advertising Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 509 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.