Find Business Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools

586 Colleges
$38,341 Avg Salary
$24,610 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Public Relations & Advertising School for You

Public Relations & Advertising is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 9th of all the majors we analyze. In <nil>, 21,275 degrees and certificates were awarded to students with this major.

Today's business students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

The Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking is one of many tools that Business Degree Central has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 586 schools in the United States to see which programs were the most popular for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Public Relations & Advertising program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for public relations majors pursuing a .

Our analysis found Southern New Hampshire University to be the most popular school for public relations & advertising students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Located in the suburb of Manchester, SNHU is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, public relations graduates from SNHU carry an average student debt load of $32,280. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $279.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Southern New Hampshire University

The excellent programs at The University of Texas at Austin helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best public relations & advertising schools in the United States. UT Austin is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Austin.

Public Relations majors at UT Austin take out an average of $34,030 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $348.

Read More…

#3

University of Oregon

Eugene, OR

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Oregon. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. Located in the medium-sized city of Eugene, UO is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that public relations majors at UO take out is $25,053. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $806.

Read More…

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Fashion Institute of Technology. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. Located in the city of New York, FIT SUNY is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

After completing their degree, public relations graduates from FIT SUNY carry an average student debt load of $15,750. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $379.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Fashion Institute of Technology

#5

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Michigan State University is a great place for public relations & advertising students. Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, public relations graduates from Michigan State carry an average student debt load of $22,605. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $560, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#6

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking. Texas Tech is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Lubbock.

While working on their degree, public relations majors at Texas Tech accumulate an average of around $21,370 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $341, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#7

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University of Florida ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. UF is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Gainesville.

The average amount in student loans that public relations majors at UF take out is $15,321. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $333, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at University of Florida

University of Colorado Boulder ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. Located in the midsize city of Boulder, CU - Boulder is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, public relations graduates from CU - Boulder carry an average student debt load of $18,500. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $905.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at University of Colorado Boulder Report

#9

University of Georgia

Athens, GA

With a ranking of #9, University of Georgia did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public relations & advertising students. Located in the city of Athens, UGA is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that public relations majors at UGA take out is $18,625. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $285, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#10

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. Syracuse is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Syracuse.

After completing their degree, public relations graduates from Syracuse carry an average student debt load of $47,832. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $720.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at Syracuse University Report

#11

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA

Temple University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for public relations & advertising students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that public relations majors at Temple take out is $23,827. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $598.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Temple University

#12

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL

The University of Alabama ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. UA is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Tuscaloosa.

Public Relations majors at UA take out an average of $24,889 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $1,027.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at The University of Alabama Report

#13

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX

Texas State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for public relations & advertising students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that public relations majors at Texas State take out is $19,536. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $247.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Texas State University

With a ranking of #14, Washington State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public relations & advertising students. Wazzu is a fairly large public school located in the town of Pullman.

After completing their degree, public relations graduates from Wazzu carry an average student debt load of $19,112. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $363.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Washington State University

With a ranking of #15, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public relations & advertising students. Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, UofSC is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, public relations graduates from UofSC carry an average student debt load of $22,990. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $627.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at University of South Carolina - Columbia

With a ranking of #16, Florida International University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public relations & advertising students. Located in the large suburb of Miami, FIU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, public relations graduates from FIU take out $11,572 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at Florida International University Report

University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools list. Located in the large city of Lincoln, UNL is a public college with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, public relations majors at UNL accumulate an average of around $22,102 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $491.

Read More…

#18

Rowan University

Glassboro, NJ

With a ranking of #18, Rowan University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public relations & advertising students. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, public relations graduates from Rowan carry an average student debt load of $18,159. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $416.

Read More…

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular public relations & advertising programs. UIUC is a very large public school located in the small city of Champaign.

Public Relations majors at UIUC take out an average of $21,875 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $496, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#20

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for public relations & advertising students. It came in at #20 on the list. KSU Georgia is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Kennesaw.

The average amount in student loans that public relations majors at KSU Georgia take out is $22,660. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $301, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at Kennesaw State University Report

#21

DePaul University

Chicago, IL

With a ranking of #21, DePaul University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public relations & advertising students. DePaul is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

On average, public relations graduates from DePaul take out $28,651 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $603, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Grand Valley State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking. GVSU is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Allendale.

On average, public relations graduates from GVSU take out $25,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $343, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools ranking. USF Tampa is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Tampa.

While working on their degree, public relations majors at USF Tampa accumulate an average of around $16,530 in student debt.

Full Public Relations & Advertising at University of South Florida - Main Campus Report

Brigham Young University - Provo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for public relations & advertising students. It came in at #24 on the list. BYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo.

While working on their degree, public relations majors at BYU accumulate an average of around $11,974 in student debt.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Brigham Young University - Provo

#25

University of Houston

Houston, TX

University of Houston did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for public relations & advertising students. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in the city of Houston, UH is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, public relations graduates from UH carry an average student debt load of $18,750.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at University of Houston

#27

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL
#27

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY
#29

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ
#29

Elon University

Elon, NC
#31

Georgetown University

Washington, DC
#33

Boston University

Boston, MA
#33

Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA
#35

Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY
#38

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL
#42

American University

Washington, DC
#43

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH
#45

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, CT
#45

Howard University

Washington, DC
#47

George Washington University

Washington, DC
#48

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

Additional Award Winners

This list represents the rest of the schools awarded a Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 586 different United States public relations & advertising schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
50 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
52 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
53 University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI
54 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
54 Marquette University Milwaukee, WI
56 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
57 Full Sail University Winter Park, FL
58 California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA
59 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
60 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
61 School Removed
61 Butler University Indianapolis, IN
63 Illinois State University Normal, IL
63 St John’s University - New York Queens, NY
65 Pace University - New York New York, NY
66 Murray State University Murray, KY
67 The University of Tampa Tampa, FL
67 The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX
69 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
70 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
71 Suffolk University Boston, MA
72 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
73 ,
74 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH
75 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
76 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
76 University of Idaho Moscow, ID
78 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
79 Auburn University Auburn, AL
79 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK
81 Bradley University Peoria, IL
81 Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO
83 Emerson College Boston, MA
83 Fort Hays State University Hays, KS
85 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY
86 University of Florida-Online Gainesville, FL
87 University of Wisconsin - River Falls River Falls, WI

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for Public Relations & Advertising students that almost earned our Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools award.

Rank College Location
88 Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CT
89 Troy University Troy, AL
90 Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
90 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
92 Chapman University Orange, CA
93 University of Vermont Burlington, VT
94 Wayne State University Detroit, MI
94 Bellevue University Bellevue, NE
96 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
96 Buffalo State Buffalo, NY
98 University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LA
98 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
100 Flagler College - St Augustine Saint Augustine, FL
100 Drake University Des Moines, IA
100 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
103 Northwestern University Evanston, IL
103 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
105 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
106 Miami Ad School - Wynwood Miami, FL
106 SUNY Oswego Oswego, NY
108 California Baptist University Riverside, CA
108 Webster University Saint Louis, MO
110 Marist College Poughkeepsie, NY
110 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
112 University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras San Juan, PR
113 SUNY Fredonia Fredonia, NY
113 Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ
115 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
116 Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LA
117 University of North Texas Denton, TX
117 University of Puerto Rico - Carolina Carolina, PR

Public Relations & Advertising by Region

View the Most Popular Public Relations & Advertising Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

Public Relations Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Public Relations 5,039
Advertising 4,655
Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication 4,517
General Organizational Communication 1,905
Communication Management and Strategic Communications 1,802
Other Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication 1,409
Sports Communication 943
Health Communication 424
Technical & Scientific Communication 203
Political Communication 195
International & Intercultural Communication 183

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Bill Koplitz.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs.

Visit School

Find Business Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited business colleges across the U.S.