2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public relations & advertising students.
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Featured Public Relations & Advertising Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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.
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2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public relations & advertising, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in public relations & advertising in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $16,478. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. 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 Utah State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $16,191. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $32,741. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Brigham Young University Provo one of the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $11,975 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $51,436. Set against $11,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $38,136. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dixie State College Of Utah earned it the #5 place for public relations & advertising. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $18,666. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $42,266. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #6 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Students borrow a median of $30,875 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $32,601. Set against $30,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Boise State University came in at #7 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,977 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $43,876. That is a strong return on a $22,977 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #8 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $51,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #9 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $19,433. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $66,246. Set against $19,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Christian University earned the #10 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,846. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $36,092. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $47,333. That is a strong return on a $36,092 median debt.
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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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
