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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for advertising students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in advertising, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked El Paso Community College the best value for a degree in advertising in the Southwest Region. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Advertising graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career advertising graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #2 place for advertising. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $22,000. Early-career advertising graduates make about $33,280. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in advertising, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Set against $23,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of North Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in advertising, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for advertising graduates is $21,817. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in advertising will find it at Texas State University San Marcos, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $21,764 to complete the advertising program here. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $40,411. Set against $21,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
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University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #6 among the best values for advertising. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,718 to complete the advertising program here. Early-career advertising graduates make about $45,759. Set against $20,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #7 spot for advertising value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Advertising graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $51,267. That is a strong return on a $20,995 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas Tech University placed #8 among the best values for advertising. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Advertising graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value advertising schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, advertising degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $37,307. Set against $25,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University placed #10 among the best values for advertising. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Advertising graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Advertising graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $51,828 early in their careers. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.