2026 Best Value Public Relations Master’s Degree Schools

1

Kean University
Union, NJ

For return on investment in public relations, no school beat Kean University this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.

2

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,817. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

3

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $48,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

4

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $23,276 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $65,890. Set against $23,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $25,000. Early-career public relations graduates make about $47,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

6

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #6 position for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $54,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

7

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University came in at #7 for value in public relations this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $59,124 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

8

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #8 position for value in public relations this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 91%.

9

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon came in at #9 for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,500. Public Relations graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $66,763 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.

10

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama earned the #10 position for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $25,000. Public Relations graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $42,445 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.

11

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University placed #11 among the best values for public relations. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $35,116. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

12

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #12 for value in public relations this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $25,232. Public Relations graduates of Boston University earn a median of $73,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

13

Iona College
New Rochelle, NY

Iona College earned the #13 position for value in public relations this year. Located in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,260. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $25,745. Public Relations graduates of Iona College earn a median of $51,530 early in their careers. Set against $25,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

14

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Temple University earn a median of $41,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

15

Suffolk University
Boston, MA

Suffolk University placed #15 among the best values for public relations. Set in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $44,863. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.

16

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #16 position for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $20,251 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $50,634. That is a strong return on a $20,251 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

17

Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University landed the #17 spot for public relations value this year. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

18

Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University placed #18 among the best values for public relations. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,660. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $56,529. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

19

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University came in at #19 for value in public relations this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.

20

Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL

Full Sail University landed the #20 spot for public relations value this year. Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,906. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $32,103. Public Relations graduates of Full Sail University earn a median of $37,416 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,103 median debt.

21

Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT

Quinnipiac University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,250. Public Relations graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $43,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Quinnipiac University admits about 72% of applicants.

22

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $16,483. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $91,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

23

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #23 position for value in public relations this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $62,662. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

24

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University came in at #24 for value in public relations this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $51,828. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

25

American University
Washington, DC

American University came in at #25 for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $26,442 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $63,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.