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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Advertising Schools in the Southeast Region

13 Colleges in the United States
$22,957 Avg Student Debt
$56,775 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Advertising Badge [Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/advertising/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 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 Southeast Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the advertising degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Advertising Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in advertising, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $17,439. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for advertising. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Advertising graduates carry a median of $17,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $42,099. Set against $17,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

3

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $17,082 to complete the advertising program here. Early-career advertising graduates make about $34,105. That is a strong return on a $17,082 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in advertising, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Advertising graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Advertising graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $37,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

5

Students looking for strong value in advertising will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $22,250. Advertising graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $38,054 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

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6

University Of Georgia landed the #6 spot for advertising value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $23,394 to complete the advertising program here. Early-career advertising graduates make about $43,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

7
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University came in at #7 for value in advertising this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career advertising graduates make about $35,534. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

8

University Of Memphis placed #8 among the best values for advertising. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $39,819. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

9

Appalachian State University landed the #9 spot for advertising value this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the advertising program here. Advertising graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $36,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

The University Of Tennessee placed #10 among the best values for advertising. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $21,368. Early-career advertising graduates make about $42,173. That is a strong return on a $21,368 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.

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11
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the advertising program here. Advertising graduates of Lee University earn a median of $33,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

12

The University Of Alabama landed the #12 spot for advertising value this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Advertising graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $42,445 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

13

Harding University placed #13 among the best values for advertising. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. Advertising graduates carry a median of $26,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $53,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #14 spot for advertising value this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $42,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

15
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University came in at #15 for value in advertising this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $23,529. Early-career advertising graduates make about $48,949. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale landed the #16 spot for advertising value this year. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Students from in state pay about $25,056 in tuition and fees. Advertising graduates carry a median of $36,416 in student loans. Advertising graduates of Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earn a median of $45,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,416 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

17
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami placed #17 among the best values for advertising. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $18,000. Early-career advertising graduates make about $43,917. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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