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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Advertising Bachelor’s Degree Schools

55 Colleges in the United States
$23,500 Avg Student Debt
$61,661 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Advertising Bachelor's Degree Badge [Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/advertising/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 121 schools to find the best return on investment for advertising students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Advertising Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in advertising, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Advertising Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for advertising in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $17,439. Advertising graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,099 early in their careers. Set against $17,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in advertising will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #2. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $12,157. Advertising graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for advertising. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,439 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $42,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for advertising. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $17,082. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,105. Set against $17,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

5

Students looking for strong value in advertising will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $18,750. Early-career advertising graduates make about $37,388. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

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6

San Jose State University came in at #6 for value in advertising this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

7

University Of Georgia placed #7 among the best values for advertising. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Advertising graduates carry a median of $21,787 in student loans. Early-career advertising graduates make about $45,326. Set against $21,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

8

Murray State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the advertising program here. Advertising graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $38,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

9

Washington State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $20,500. Advertising graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $45,820 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.

10
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $38,375. Set against $22,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

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11
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University landed the #11 spot for advertising value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the advertising program here. Advertising graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,534 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

12

Brigham Young University Provo earned the #12 position for value in advertising this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $11,975. Advertising graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $51,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,975 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

13

Montclair State University landed the #13 spot for advertising value this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $25,286. Early-career advertising graduates make about $44,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.

14

University Of Southern Indiana ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,270 in student loans. Advertising graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $34,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

15

The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #15 spot for advertising value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Advertising graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $33,280 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #16 spot for advertising value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $23,250. Early-career advertising graduates make about $48,063. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

17

University Of Houston ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $23,800. Early-career advertising graduates make about $42,472. That is a strong return on a $23,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

18

University Of Memphis earned the #18 position for value in advertising this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Advertising graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $39,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.

19

University Of North Texas earned the #19 position for value in advertising this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $21,817. Advertising graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

20

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #20 position for value in advertising this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Advertising graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $46,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

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21

University Of Idaho came in at #21 for value in advertising this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $38,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

22

The University Of Tennessee ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Advertising graduates carry a median of $21,368 in student loans. Advertising graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $42,173 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,368 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #23 spot for advertising value this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $20,718. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $45,759. That is a strong return on a $20,718 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

24

Ball State University earned the #24 position for value in advertising this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,879 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $38,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

25

University Of Sacred Heart ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. Located in the city of Santurce, University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,375 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Sacred Heart generally make around $13,085. Set against $12,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Advertising Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in advertising:

26
27
28
29
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
38
39
40
41
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
42
43
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
44
45
46
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN
47
48
Rider University crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ
49
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
50
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Other Advertising Degree Levels

Explore the best-value advertising schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Advertising
Associate's Degrees in Advertising
Master's Degrees in Advertising
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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 · 121 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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