2026 Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

Leading the list is University Of South Florida Main Campus, our #1 best value for public relations, advertising, & applied communication in the Southeast Region. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. 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. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,105 early in their careers. Set against $17,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

2

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 #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $52,014. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

3

Florida International University
Miami, FL

A rank of #3 makes Florida International University one of the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $34,435. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

4

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $13,849. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $46,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,849 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

5

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. That is a strong return on a $24,225 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.

6

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $37,388. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida came in at #7 for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $18,523. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $48,628. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

8

Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University landed the #8 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $23,257 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.

9

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $23,250. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

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. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

11

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $22,444. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $43,057. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.

12

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis landed the #12 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $25,000. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $39,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.

13

Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University landed the #13 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

14

Middle Georgia State University
Macon, GA

Middle Georgia State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $26,976. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $48,207 early in their careers. Set against $26,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.

15

University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Lafayette, LA

University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #15 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,418, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $26,000. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $34,434. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

16

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #16 for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $25,415. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

17

University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #17 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $52,555. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky landed the #18 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication value this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $24,813 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

19

University Of South Alabama
Mobile, AL

University Of South Alabama placed #19 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $26,513. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $51,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.

20

Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $41,460. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.

21

University Of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR

University Of Central Arkansas placed #21 among the best values for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates carry a median of $22,800 in student loans. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $35,177 early in their careers. Set against $22,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.

22

Harding University
Searcy, AR

Harding University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $26,854. Early-career public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates make about $33,577. That is a strong return on a $26,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

23

Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University came in at #23 for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,576. Students borrow a median of $25,400 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Wingate University generally make around $40,438. That is a strong return on a $25,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

24

Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

Loyola University New Orleans came in at #24 for value in public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,440 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates is $25,000. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Loyola University New Orleans earn a median of $36,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

25

Midway College
Midway, KY

Midway College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the rural area of Midway, Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,110. Students borrow a median of $26,723 to complete the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program here. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Midway College earn a median of $42,586 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.