by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 605 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public relations & advertising schools.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Communication - Public Relations
Prepare to develop your skills in building mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their public audiences.
MA in Communication - Public Relations
Learn how to use the latest technology and tactics to manage the flow of information between brands and the public with your Master's in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations at Southern New Hampshire University.
MA in Communication - New Media & Marketing
Keep your skills and knowledge at the forefront of new media technologies with this specialized online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public relations & advertising degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in public relations & advertising, no school beat Santa Monica College this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in public relations & advertising will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in public relations & advertising will find it at El Paso Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,174, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $12,000. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $21,006 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
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Explore the best-value public relations & advertising schools at other degree levels:
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 · 605 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
