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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Public Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools

71 Colleges in the United States
$23,998 Avg Student Debt
$59,365 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Public Relations Bachelor's Degree Badge [Public Relations](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 182 schools to find the best return on investment for public relations students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public relations degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Public Relations Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for public relations in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $17,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in public relations will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $17,439 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $42,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in public relations will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $38,798. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

4

San Jose State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

5

University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,787. Public Relations graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $45,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

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California State University Long Beach placed #6 among the best values for public relations. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,012. Public Relations graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $28,226 early in their careers. Set against $23,012 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

7
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University placed #7 among the best values for public relations. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $41,842 early in their careers. Set against $24,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.

8

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, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $45,820 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

9

Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in public relations this year. 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, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $48,847 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

10

Brigham Young University Provo placed #10 among the best values for public relations. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $11,975 to complete the public relations program here. 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. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

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Murray State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $38,054. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #12 position for value in public relations this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #13 for value in public relations this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $21,096 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $43,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

14
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $22,580 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $38,375. Set against $22,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Houston landed the #15 spot for public relations value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $23,800 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $42,472. Set against $23,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

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16
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University landed the #16 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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.

17

Eastern Illinois University came in at #17 for value in public relations this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. 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. Early-career public relations graduates make about $38,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

18

University Of North Texas landed the #18 spot for public relations value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Memphis ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $39,819. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

20

Central Washington University landed the #20 spot for public relations value this year. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,342 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $40,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

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21

University Of Idaho earned the #21 position for value in public relations this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $38,136. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. 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. Early-career public relations graduates make about $52,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

23

Appalachian State University placed #23 among the best values for public relations. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $36,559. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.

24

The University Of Tennessee landed the #24 spot for public relations value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $21,368 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $42,173. Set against $21,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.

25

Wayne State University placed #25 among the best values for public relations. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $27,000. Early-career public relations graduates make about $41,306. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Relations Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public relations:

26
27
28
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
29
30
31
32
33
34
Suny At Fredonia crest
Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY
35
36
37
38
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Other Public Relations Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Public Relations rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Public Relations
Associate's Degrees in Public Relations
Master's Degrees in Public Relations
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View All Public Relations Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 182 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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