2026 Best Value Public Relations Schools in Texas

[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.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public relations schools.
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2026 Best Value Public Relations Schools in Texas
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Houston the best value for a degree in public relations in Texas. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,800. 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. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public relations will find it at University Of North Texas, which ranked #2. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas State University San Marcos earned it the #3 place for public relations. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $21,764. Public Relations graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $40,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,764 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $20,995. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $51,267. That is a strong return on a $20,995 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public relations will find it at Texas Tech University, which ranked #5. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,074. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University came in at #6 for value in public relations this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $51,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.