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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Public Relations Schools in the Southeast Region

19 Colleges in the United States
1,186 Public Relations Degrees Awarded
$40,586 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools to find the best for public relations students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Public Relations in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public relations education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Public Relations

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public relations. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. More information about a degree in public relations from University Of Florida

2

The University Of Tennessee is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. 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. Public Relations graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $42,173 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,368 to complete this degree. Read more about the public relations program at The University Of Tennessee

3

University Of Georgia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations, ranking #3. 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. About 158 public relations degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Public Relations graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $43,255 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,394. Get the full public relations details for University Of Georgia

4
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best public relations schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. 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

5

University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best public relations schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 73 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $42,974. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Read more about the public relations program at University Of South Carolina Columbia

6
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University placed #6 among the best public relations schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Lipscomb University awarded about 10 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $48,949 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. See the full public relations program report for Lipscomb University

7
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #7 among the best public relations schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 110 public relations students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Public Relations graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $41,458 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in public relations from Auburn University

8

The University Of Alabama landed the #8 spot for public relations this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 208 public relations students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $42,445 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in public relations from The University Of Alabama

9

University Of Florida Online ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best public relations schools. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 public relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida Online 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. More information about a degree in public relations from University Of Florida Online

10

Appalachian State University landed the #10 spot for public relations this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Appalachian State University awarded about 62 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $36,559. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the public relations program at Appalachian State University

11

Freed Hardeman University earned the #11 position for public relations this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Freed Hardeman University awarded about 11 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public relations from Freed Hardeman University

12

University Of Memphis ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best public relations schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Memphis. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. University Of Memphis awarded about 25 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $39,819 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in public relations from University Of Memphis

13
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University placed #13 among the best public relations schools. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Northern Kentucky University graduates 54% of students within six years. Northern Kentucky University awarded about 14 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $41,842. Typical student debt for the program is $24,225. See the full public relations program report for Northern Kentucky University

14
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University landed the #14 spot for public relations this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bowling Green. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 public relations students who graduated with this degree at Western Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations degree from Western Kentucky University earn around $35,534 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the public relations program at Western Kentucky University

15

Murray State University came in at #15 for public relations this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 16 public relations degrees were awarded at Murray State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations degree from Murray State University earn around $38,054 in the first couple years of their career. Murray State University graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in public relations from Murray State University

16

Georgia Southern University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best public relations schools. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgia Southern University awarded about 25 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations degree from Georgia Southern University earn around $41,785 in the first couple years of their career. Georgia Southern University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the public relations program at Georgia Southern University

17
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University landed the #17 spot for public relations this year. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 16 public relations degrees were awarded at Winthrop University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $40,487. Winthrop University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full public relations program report for Winthrop University

18
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University placed #18 among the best public relations schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cleveland. Lee University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 11 public relations degrees were awarded at Lee University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $33,162. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in public relations from Lee University

19

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best public relations schools. This large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University awarded about 28 public relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations program make about $28,516 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,625. Get the full public relations details for Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University

20
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL

Full Sail University placed #20 among the best public relations schools. This very large private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Winter Park. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 public relations degrees were awarded at Full Sail University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations degree from Full Sail University earn around $32,072 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,103. Get the full public relations details for Full Sail University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 39 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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