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Choosing a Great Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication School
The school you choose for public relations, advertising, & applied communication can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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No school ranked higher than Georgetown University this year for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 93 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $91,362 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483.
Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Georgetown University
University Of Delaware is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from University Of Delaware earn around $54,155 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,861.
More information about a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication from University Of Delaware
Washington State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 65 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $45,820 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Washington State University
Marist College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Marist College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Marist College generally make around $70,802. Marist College graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans.
Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Marist College
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 11 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year.
Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Southern California placed #6 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 105 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $50,338. Students borrow a median of $20,251 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for University Of Southern California
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #7 position for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 379 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $66,246 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,433.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for University Of Colorado Boulder
Texas Christian University came in at #8 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 114 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $48,053 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,148 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Texas Christian University
Chapman University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 31 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $40,141 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete this degree.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Chapman University
Florida State University placed #10 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida State University awarded about 160 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $46,391. Typical student debt for the program is $13,849.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Florida State University
University Of Arkansas placed #11 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 62 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $52,555 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for University Of Arkansas
Pepperdine University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. Pepperdine University graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $45,988 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Pepperdine University
Michigan State University came in at #13 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $45,158. Typical student debt for the program is $23,899.
Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Michigan State University
Syracuse University landed the #14 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Syracuse University awarded about 93 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $58,798. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Syracuse University
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #15 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. There were roughly 32 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent data year.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #16 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. About 67% of students finish within six years. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 141 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $42,168 early in their careers. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Texas Tech University landed the #17 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas Tech University awarded about 76 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $50,074 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Texas Tech University
Ithaca College placed #18 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. Ithaca College graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Ithaca College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $39,446. Ithaca College graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Ithaca College
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 173 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,105. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $17,082 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication from University Of South Florida Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #20 position for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oshkosh. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $46,039 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Rowan University placed #21 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rowan University awarded about 18 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Rowan University earn around $35,116 in the first couple years of their career. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Rowan University
Utah Valley University came in at #22 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 75 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Utah Valley University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Utah Valley University
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #23 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 28 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $53,088 in the first couple years of their career. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans.
Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Minnesota State University Mankato
Boise State University placed #24 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 16 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Boise State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $43,876. Boise State University graduates carry a median of $22,977 in student loans.
See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Boise State University
Azusa Pacific University came in at #25 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Azusa Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. Azusa Pacific University awarded about 15 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Azusa Pacific University graduates carry a median of $18,493 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication from Azusa Pacific University
Rest of the Top 50 Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public relations, advertising, & applied communication ranking:
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Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Related Rankings by Major
Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 208 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).