Public Relations & Advertising programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 605 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public relations & advertising students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Public Relations & Advertising School
Where you study public relations & advertising matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Public Relations & Advertising School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Public Relations & Advertising Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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.
Keep your skills and knowledge at the forefront of new media technologies with this specialized online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Madison the best school in the country for a degree in public relations & advertising. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 107 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $59,877 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813.
Read more about the public relations & advertising program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Georgetown University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 187 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $91,362 early in their careers. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Georgetown University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 320 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the public relations & advertising program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations & advertising, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $58,088 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong public relations & advertising program will find one at University Of Dayton, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from University Of Dayton earn around $56,077 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations & advertising program report for University Of Dayton
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #6 position for public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 22 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $86,770 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations & advertising program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Delaware earned the #7 position for public relations & advertising this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $54,155 in their early career. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans.
See the full public relations & advertising program report for University Of Delaware
Southern Methodist University placed #8 among the best public relations & advertising schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Southern Methodist University awarded about 128 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $51,828 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750.
See the full public relations & advertising program report for Southern Methodist University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #9 among the best public relations & advertising schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 190 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Austin placed #10 among the best public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 566 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $51,267 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans.
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Harvard University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 17 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
See the full public relations & advertising program report for Harvard University
Boston University placed #12 among the best public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Boston University awarded about 395 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $73,982 in their early career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans.
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San Jose State University came in at #13 for public relations & advertising this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 64 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
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Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 10 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $58,402 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,120.
See the full public relations & advertising program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Florida ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 353 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from University Of Florida earn around $42,099 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,439.
See the full public relations & advertising program report for University Of Florida
Washington State University earned the #16 position for public relations & advertising this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Washington State University awarded about 209 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Washington State University earn around $45,820 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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George Washington University came in at #17 for public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 115 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from George Washington University earn around $73,569 in the first couple years of their career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 214 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $54,763 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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Stony Brook University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 10 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,537.
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Elon University landed the #20 spot for public relations & advertising this year. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. Elon University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 117 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Elon University earn around $50,463 in the first couple years of their career. Elon University graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans.
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Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #21 spot for public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $49,718 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,348.
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The University Of Tennessee earned the #22 position for public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. About 157 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $42,173 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $21,368 in student loans.
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Miami University Oxford ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 125 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $50,700 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Towson University landed the #24 spot for public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 21 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at Towson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $50,370 in their early career. Towson University graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans.
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University Of Georgia ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 407 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from University Of Georgia earn around $43,255 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Public Relations & Advertising Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public relations & advertising ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 605 schools evaluated.
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).
