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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in Illinois

9 Colleges in the United States
536 Public Relations & Advertising Degrees Awarded
$44,003 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Relations & Advertising degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public relations & advertising students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Public Relations & Advertising in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public relations & advertising degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Public Relations & Advertising

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public relations & advertising. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 214 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign 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. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full public relations & advertising details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

A rank of #2 makes Illinois State University one of the top schools for public relations & advertising. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Illinois State University earn around $43,874 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Illinois State University

3

Students looking for a strong public relations & advertising program will find one at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #3. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 83 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $43,308 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full public relations & advertising details for Loyola University Chicago

4
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong public relations & advertising program will find one at Depaul University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 113 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $49,559 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. Get the full public relations & advertising details for Depaul University

5

Eastern Illinois University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #5 spot this year. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. About 47% of students finish within six years. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 18 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $38,369 early in their careers. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $23,745 in student loans. See the full public relations & advertising program report for Eastern Illinois University

6

Bradley University placed #6 among the best public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 46 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $38,351 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,819 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Bradley University

7

Columbia College Chicago placed #7 among the best public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 52% of students finish within six years. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 21 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Columbia College Chicago earn around $39,794 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the public relations & advertising program at Columbia College Chicago

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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