by our College Data Analytics Team
[Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/advertising/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for advertising students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the advertising degrees they offer, see the list below.
Sinclair Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $12,525. Early-career advertising graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in advertising, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Early-career advertising graduates make about $38,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #3 place for advertising. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $54,763. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. 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 the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $46,039. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Indiana earned it the #5 place for advertising. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,270 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $34,736. That is a strong return on a $25,270 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
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Ball State University landed the #6 spot for advertising value this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $38,020. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $40,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Western Michigan University placed #8 among the best values for advertising. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $27,000. Early-career advertising graduates make about $37,718. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $25,000. Advertising graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $40,867 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,899 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $45,158. Set against $23,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for advertising value this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $22,519. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $42,296. That is a strong return on a $22,519 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Bradley University placed #12 among the best values for advertising. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $26,819. Early-career advertising graduates make about $54,513. Set against $26,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Columbia College Chicago earned the #13 position for value in advertising this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $39,794. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Marquette University came in at #14 for value in advertising this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the advertising program here. Early-career advertising graduates make about $40,583. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Xavier University placed #15 among the best values for advertising. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,425. Advertising graduates carry a median of $26,515 in student loans. Early-career advertising graduates make about $41,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #16 for value in advertising this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $25,000. Early-career advertising graduates make about $43,308. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.