2026 Best Value Public Relations Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among public relations schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,439 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $42,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for public relations. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $17,439 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $42,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for public relations. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $38,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

Students looking for strong value in public relations will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #5 place for public relations. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $23,012 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $28,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

6

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #6 for value in public relations this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $43,255. Set against $23,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

7

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $41,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,225 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

8

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University earned the #8 position for value in public relations this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $45,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

9

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo earned the #9 position for value in public relations this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $11,975. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $51,436. Set against $11,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

10

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University placed #10 among the best values for public relations. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $48,705. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

11

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University came in at #11 for value in public relations this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $38,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

12

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in public relations this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $48,847. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

14

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College came in at #14 for value in public relations this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $65,890 early in their careers. Set against $23,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University landed the #15 spot for public relations value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $35,534. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa landed the #16 spot for public relations value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,096. Public Relations graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $43,755 early in their careers. Set against $21,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

17

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,817. Early-career public relations graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

18

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University landed the #18 spot for public relations value this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $22,580. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $38,375. That is a strong return on a $22,580 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

19

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #19 spot for public relations value 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, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $42,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

20

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University landed the #20 spot for public relations value this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $23,745 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $38,369. That is a strong return on a $23,745 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

21

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis earned the #21 position for value in public relations 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, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $39,819 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

22

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,342. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $40,976. That is a strong return on a $23,342 median debt. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

23

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho earned the #23 position for value in public relations this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $38,136. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.

24

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #24 for value in public relations 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.

25

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University placed #25 among the best values for public relations. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $36,559 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.