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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Southeast Region

52 Colleges in the United States
4,745 Public Relations & Advertising Degrees Awarded
$42,758 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Relations & Advertising is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. 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 130 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 the Southeast Region

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 Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best school in the country for a degree in public relations & advertising. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 353 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent 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. Get the full public relations & advertising details for University Of Florida

2

Elon University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Elon University awarded about 117 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $50,463 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete this degree. Get the full public relations & advertising details for Elon University

3

A rank of #3 makes Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College one of the top schools for public relations & advertising. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. 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. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

4

The University Of Tennessee is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public relations & advertising, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 157 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $42,173 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $21,368 in student loans. See the full public relations & advertising program report for The University Of Tennessee

5

University Of Georgia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public relations & advertising, ranking #5. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 407 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent 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. Students borrow a median of $23,394 to complete this degree. See the full public relations & advertising program report for University Of Georgia

6

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #6 among the best public relations & advertising schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Wilmington. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 63 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $46,164 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,013 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

7
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 173 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $43,917. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. See the full public relations & advertising program report for University Of Miami

8
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #8 position for public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 160 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $46,391 early in their careers. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $13,849 in student loans. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Florida State University

9

University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 200 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $42,974 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. See the full public relations & advertising program report for University Of South Carolina Columbia

10
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #10 among the best public relations & advertising schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 62 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $52,555 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete this degree. See the full public relations & advertising program report for University Of Arkansas

11
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Lipscomb University awarded about 13 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Get the full public relations & advertising details for Lipscomb University

12
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University placed #12 among the best public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. High Point University graduates 72% of students within six years. High Point University awarded about 10 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,785. Read more about the public relations & advertising program at High Point University

13
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #13 for public relations & advertising this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 110 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Auburn University earn around $41,458 in the first couple years of their career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full public relations & advertising details for Auburn University

14

The University Of Alabama earned the #14 position for public relations & advertising this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Alabama awarded about 333 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $42,445 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from The University Of Alabama

15

University Of Kentucky landed the #15 spot for public relations & advertising this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lexington. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 135 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at University Of Kentucky in the most recent year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $45,275 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,813 to complete this degree. Get the full public relations & advertising details for University Of Kentucky

16

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #16 spot for public relations & advertising this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 176 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $34,105 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,082 to complete this degree. See the full public relations & advertising program report for University Of South Florida Main Campus

17

University Of Florida Online landed the #17 spot for public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida Online awarded about 82 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from University Of Florida Online earn around $42,099 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Florida Online graduates carry a median of $17,439 in student loans. Read more about the public relations & advertising program at University Of Florida Online

18

Appalachian State University earned the #18 position for public relations & advertising this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 141 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public relations & advertising degree from Appalachian State University earn around $36,559 in the first couple years of their career. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full public relations & advertising details for Appalachian State University

19
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University landed the #19 spot for public relations & advertising this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 public relations & advertising students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $43,318. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Clemson University

20

West Virginia University landed the #20 spot for public relations & advertising this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. West Virginia University graduates 64% of students within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 158 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $56,835. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772. Read more about the public relations & advertising program at West Virginia University

21

University Of Central Florida came in at #21 for public relations & advertising this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 138 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $37,388. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from University Of Central Florida

22
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston came in at #22 for public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 public relations & advertising degrees were awarded at College Of Charleston in the most recent year. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $40,222 early in their careers. College Of Charleston graduates carry a median of $24,733 in student loans. Get the full public relations & advertising details for College Of Charleston

23

The University Of Tampa earned the #23 position for public relations & advertising this year. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. About 64% of students finish within six years. The University Of Tampa awarded about 138 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from The University Of Tampa generally make around $36,977. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full public relations & advertising program report for The University Of Tampa

24

Florida International University landed the #24 spot for public relations & advertising this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. About 74% of students finish within six years. Florida International University awarded about 210 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $34,435. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the public relations & advertising program at Florida International University

25

Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Arkansas State University Main Campus awarded about 104 public relations & advertising degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public relations & advertising program make about $40,812 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public relations & advertising from Arkansas State University Main Campus

Rest of the Top 50 Public Relations & Advertising Schools

These schools also placed among the best for public relations & advertising this year:

26
27
28
29
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
30
31
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
32
Lynn University crest
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL
33
34
35
36
37
38
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
39
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
40
41
Midway College crest
Midway College
Midway, KY
42
43
44
45
46
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
47
48
49
50
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

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Notes and References

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 · 130 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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