Public Relations degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their public relations programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 182 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public relations students pursuing a degree.
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: Checking offer "Public Relations (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Public Relations (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Public Relations (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Public Relations (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Communication - Public Relations" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Communication - Public Relations" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MA in Communication - Public Relations" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MA in Communication - Public Relations" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "AS in Marketing" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "AS in Marketing" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Marketing" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "BS in Marketing" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in Marketing" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MBA in Marketing" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Marketing" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Marketing" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Marketing - New Media & Communications" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Marketing - New Media & Communications" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Social Media (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Social Media (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Social Media (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Social Media (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Social Media (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Social Media (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Social Media Marketing (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Social Media Marketing (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 2 offers with relevance >= 1.0
Choosing a Great Public Relations School
Where you study public relations matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Public Relations Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Public Relations Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: Checking offer "Public Relations (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Public Relations (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Public Relations (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Public Relations (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Communication - Public Relations" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Communication - Public Relations" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MA in Communication - Public Relations" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MA in Communication - Public Relations" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "AS in Marketing" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "AS in Marketing" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Marketing" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "BS in Marketing" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in Marketing" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MBA in Marketing" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Marketing" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Marketing" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Marketing - New Media & Communications" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Marketing - New Media & Communications" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Social Media (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Social Media (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Social Media (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Social Media (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Social Media (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Social Media (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Social Media Marketing (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Social Media Marketing (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 2 offers with relevance >= 1.0
ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Public Relations in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public relations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Georgetown University, our #1 school for public relations. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 94 public relations degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Public Relations graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $91,362 early in their careers. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans.
See the full public relations program report for Georgetown University
Southern Methodist University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 public relations students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $51,828. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full public relations details for Southern Methodist University
The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 134 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $51,267. Typical student debt for the program is $20,995.
Get the full public relations details for The University Of Texas At Austin
Boston University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 166 public relations degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $73,982. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232.
Get the full public relations details for Boston University
San Jose State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best public relations schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 24 public relations degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full public relations details for San Jose State University
University Of Florida placed #6 among the best public relations schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 173 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $42,099 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,439.
Get the full public relations details for University Of Florida
Washington State University placed #7 among the best public relations schools. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington State University awarded about 89 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $45,820 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public relations from Washington State University
George Washington University landed the #8 spot for public relations this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Washington University awarded about 12 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $73,569 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full public relations details for George Washington University
The University Of Tennessee landed the #9 spot for public relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 71 public relations degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $42,173 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,368 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations program report for The University Of Tennessee
University Of Georgia earned the #10 position for public relations this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 158 public relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations degree from University Of Georgia earn around $43,255 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans.
Read more about the public relations program at University Of Georgia
University Of Southern California ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best public relations schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 77 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $50,338 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,251.
Read more about the public relations program at University Of Southern California
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #12 among the best public relations schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 51 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $58,659 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530.
Read more about the public relations program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Quinnipiac University earned the #13 position for public relations this year. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Quinnipiac University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 55 public relations degrees were awarded at Quinnipiac University in the most recent year. Public Relations graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $43,591 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
More information about a degree in public relations from Quinnipiac University
University Of Miami landed the #14 spot for public relations this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 71 public relations degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations degree from University Of Miami earn around $43,917 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public relations from University Of Miami
University Of Rhode Island earned the #15 position for public relations this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 public relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $42,181 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public relations program at University Of Rhode Island
Illinois State University came in at #16 for public relations this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 41 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $43,874 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public relations program at Illinois State University
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #17 among the best public relations schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 73 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $42,974 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
More information about a degree in public relations from University Of South Carolina Columbia
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best public relations schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 86 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations degree from Brigham Young University Provo earn around $51,436 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,975.
Read more about the public relations program at Brigham Young University Provo
American University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best public relations schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 76% of students finish within six years. American University awarded about 56 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from American University generally make around $56,877. Students borrow a median of $26,442 to complete this degree.
Get the full public relations details for American University
University Of Oregon earned the #20 position for public relations this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 142 public relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oregon in the most recent data year. Public Relations graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $54,461 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public relations from University Of Oregon
Drake University landed the #21 spot for public relations this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. About 23 public relations degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Public Relations graduates of Drake University earn a median of $44,492 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
Get the full public relations details for Drake University
Lipscomb University placed #22 among the best public relations schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 public relations students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
Read more about the public relations program at Lipscomb University
Syracuse University placed #23 among the best public relations schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Syracuse University awarded about 94 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $58,798 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
Read more about the public relations program at Syracuse University
Auburn University earned the #24 position for public relations this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 110 public relations students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $41,458 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
Get the full public relations details for Auburn University
Taylor University earned the #25 position for public relations this year. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 public relations students who graduated with this degree at Taylor University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $45,090 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,832 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public relations from Taylor University
Rest of the Top 50 Public Relations Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong public relations education:
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/offers.json"
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 182 schools evaluated.
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).