by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Relations](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public relations students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public relations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Brigham Young University Provo, our #1 best value for public relations in the Rocky Mountains Region. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $11,975 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $51,436. Set against $11,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Idaho earned it the #2 place for public relations. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $26,000. Public Relations graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $38,136 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Boise State University one of the best values for public relations. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $22,977 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $43,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Christian University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,846. Students borrow a median of $36,092 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $47,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.