2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College earned the #1 spot for value among public relations & advertising schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $12,525. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Students looking for strong value in public relations & advertising will find it at Ivy Tech Community College, which ranked #2. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $11,889. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $54,763. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

4

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

Students looking for strong value in public relations & advertising will find it at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh, which ranked #4. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $46,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

5

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

A rank of #5 makes Ferris State University one of the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $22,580 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $38,375. Set against $22,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #6 among the best values for public relations & advertising. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,270 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $34,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.

8

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $25,800. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.

9

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,745 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $38,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #10 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $47,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

11

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #11 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $24,975. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $40,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

12

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global came in at #12 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $36,778. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $54,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.

13

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $38,020. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

14

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University earned the #14 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $41,306. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

15

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $40,346. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

16

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #16 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $41,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

17

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $22,053. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

18

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #18 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $22,574. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.

19

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo landed the #19 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $24,923. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.

20

Albion College
Albion, MI

Albion College came in at #20 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. In-state tuition and fees average $56,950. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $26,254. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Albion College earn a median of $40,829 early in their careers. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.

21

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University came in at #21 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $26,750. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $38,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

22

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University placed #22 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,377 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $38,172. That is a strong return on a $26,377 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.

23

Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI

Siena Heights University placed #23 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,778. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $39,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

24

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University placed #24 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $43,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

25

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University landed the #25 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $27,000. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $37,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.