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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Southeast Region

52 Colleges in the United States
$23,469 Avg Student Debt
$52,690 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Badge [Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public relations & advertising education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 130 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public relations & advertising students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public relations & advertising, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for public relations & advertising in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,439 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for public relations & advertising. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,439 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $42,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,439 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for public relations & advertising. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $17,082. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $34,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

4
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #4 spot this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $13,849. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $46,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #5 place for public relations & advertising. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $52,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Florida International University placed #6 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $34,435. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Central Florida earned the #7 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $18,750. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $37,388. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

8

Dalton State College landed the #8 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $14,955. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $29,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $24,225. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $41,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.

10

University Of North Florida came in at #10 for value in public relations & advertising this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $18,523. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $48,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Murray State University earned the #11 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $38,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

University Of Georgia came in at #12 for value in public relations & advertising this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $23,394 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $43,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

13

West Virginia University landed the #13 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,772. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $56,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

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

Western Kentucky University landed the #14 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

15
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Students borrow a median of $23,257 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $45,115. That is a strong return on a $23,257 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

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16

Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,250. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

17

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $43,057. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

18

Southeastern Louisiana University came in at #18 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of $42,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

19

Morehead State University landed the #19 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $27,737. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

20

University Of Memphis landed the #20 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $25,000. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $39,819 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.

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21

Coastal Carolina University earned the #21 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $27,174. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

22

Troy University placed #22 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $26,439. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Troy University earn a median of $46,723 early in their careers. Set against $26,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

23

Appalachian State University landed the #23 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $21,500. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $36,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

24
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

25

University Of Southern Mississippi placed #25 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public relations & advertising value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC
33
34
35
36
37
38
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC
39
40
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
41
42
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
43
44
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
45
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC
46
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
47
48
49
Midway College crest
Midway College
Midway, KY
50
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

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Notes and References

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 · 130 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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