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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Schools in the Southeast Region

16 Colleges in the United States
1,122 Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Degrees Awarded
$41,234 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public relations, advertising, & applied communication students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication

1
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Leading the list is Florida State University, our #1 school for public relations, advertising, & applied communication. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Florida State University awarded about 160 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $46,391 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,849. Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Florida State University

2
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, ranking #2. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $24,019. Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for University Of Arkansas

3

Students looking for a strong public relations, advertising, & applied communication program will find one at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 173 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees 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. Students borrow a median of $17,082 to complete this degree. Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for University Of South Florida Main Campus

4

The University Of Tampa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, ranking #4. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. The University Of Tampa graduates 64% of students within six years. About 98 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at The University Of Tampa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from The University Of Tampa generally make around $36,977. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at The University Of Tampa

5

Florida International University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 210 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $34,435. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Florida International University

6

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $43,057. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at University Of Mississippi Main Campus

7

The University Of West Florida landed the #7 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 18 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at The University Of West Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $52,014 in their early career. The University Of West Florida graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at The University Of West Florida

8

University Of North Florida placed #8 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of North Florida awarded about 13 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $48,628 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,523. More information about a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication from University Of North Florida

9
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Arkansas Tech University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $45,115. Students borrow a median of $23,257 to complete this degree. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Arkansas Tech University

10
Lynn University crest
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL

Lynn University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 13 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Lynn University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Lynn University generally make around $50,569. Typical student debt for the program is $21,391. See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Lynn University

11

Coastal Carolina University placed #11 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Coastal Carolina University graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Coastal Carolina University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. Typical student debt for the program is $27,174. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Coastal Carolina University

12

Kennesaw State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 121 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Kennesaw State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $41,460. Kennesaw State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Kennesaw State University

13
Midway College crest
Midway College
Midway, KY

Midway College landed the #13 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Midway. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 12 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Midway College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Midway College generally make around $42,586. Midway College graduates carry a median of $26,723 in student loans. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Midway College

14

Harding University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Searcy. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 17 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Harding University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $33,577. Typical student debt for the program is $26,854. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Harding University

15

Florida Southern College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 11 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Florida Southern College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Florida Southern College generally make around $35,023. Typical student debt for the program is $25,955. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Florida Southern College

16

University Of Central Arkansas landed the #16 spot for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Central Arkansas awarded about 20 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $35,177. University Of Central Arkansas graduates carry a median of $22,800 in student loans. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at University Of Central Arkansas

17

Loyola University New Orleans earned the #17 position for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 29 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Loyola University New Orleans in the most recent year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Loyola University New Orleans earn a median of $36,004 early in their careers. Loyola University New Orleans graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication program report for Loyola University New Orleans

18

University Of South Alabama ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 13 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at University Of South Alabama in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program make about $51,592 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,513. More information about a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication from University Of South Alabama

19

University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 29 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at University Of Louisiana Lafayette in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $34,434. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at University Of Louisiana Lafayette

20
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University placed #20 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wingate. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wingate University awarded about 13 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Wingate University generally make around $40,438. Students borrow a median of $25,400 to complete this degree. Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Wingate University

21

Middle Georgia State University came in at #21 for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 24%. There were roughly 10 public relations, advertising, & applied communication students who graduated with this degree at Middle Georgia State University in the most recent data year. Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $48,207 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication from Middle Georgia State University

22

Webber International University placed #22 among the best public relations, advertising, & applied communication schools. Webber International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Babson Park. About 25% of students finish within six years. About 11 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees were awarded at Webber International University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Webber International University generally make around $35,052. Typical student debt for the program is $26,310. Get the full public relations, advertising, & applied communication details for Webber International University

23
Flagler College St Augustine crest
Flagler College St Augustine
Saint Augustine, FL

Flagler College St Augustine earned the #23 position for public relations, advertising, & applied communication this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Augustine, Flagler College St Augustine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Flagler College St Augustine awarded about 14 public relations, advertising, & applied communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations, advertising, & applied communication degree recipients from Flagler College St Augustine generally make around $32,713. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125. Read more about the public relations, advertising, & applied communication program at Flagler College St Augustine

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 53 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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