by our College Data Analytics Team
[Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/advertising/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong advertising education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for advertising students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in advertising, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in advertising, no school beat University Of Memphis this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $25,000. Early-career advertising graduates make about $39,819. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the best values for advertising. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Advertising graduates carry a median of $21,368 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $42,173. That is a strong return on a $21,368 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #3 makes Lee University one of the best values for advertising. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Advertising graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $33,162. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lipscomb University earned it the #4 place for advertising. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.