2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in North Carolina
[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public relations & advertising students.
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Featured Public Relations & Advertising Programs
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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 North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public relations & advertising, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
Appalachian State University tops our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools in North Carolina. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $36,559. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public relations & advertising will find it at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington, which ranked #2. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,013. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $46,164. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Wingate University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,576. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,400 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Wingate University earn a median of $40,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,400 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Campbell University one of the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,600. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $31,953. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
High Point University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,312. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,785. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. Set against $23,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Elon University placed #6 among the best values for public relations & advertising. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,958 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $50,463. Set against $21,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
