2026 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools

1

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for public relations, advertising, & applied communication in the United States. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $16,478. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

A rank of #2 makes Florida State University one of the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $13,849. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $46,391. That is a strong return on a $13,849 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

3

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $17,082 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $34,105. Set against $17,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

4

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $52,014. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #5 place for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $37,388. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

6

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University landed the #6 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $34,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

7

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University placed #7 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,225 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $48,628. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

9

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University earned the #9 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $45,820. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

10

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $35,534. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

11

Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University placed #11 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Students borrow a median of $23,257 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $45,115. Set against $23,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.

12

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College earned the #12 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.

13

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,812 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $43,057. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

15

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware earned the #15 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $24,861. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.

16

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston came in at #16 for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $23,800 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $42,472. That is a strong return on a $23,800 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

17

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #17 position for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication 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. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $46,039. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis landed the #18 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication 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. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

19

Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.

20

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #20 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $40,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $24,245. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $47,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

22

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #22 for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $23,879. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $38,020. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

23

University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #23 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $52,555 early in their careers. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

24

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky landed the #24 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $24,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $24,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

25

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #25 for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $42,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.