Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs

441 programs — 180 with federal cost data, the rest suppressed for small class sizes and listed after them, ordered by median debt against median earnings — lowest first.

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Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs ranked by debt-to-earnings ratio
InstitutionProgramcredential and deliveryat completion4 yrs after
University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasPR · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$5,500$40,17314%
Brigham Young UniversityUT · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$11,974$80,84115%
Florida International UniversityFL · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · Hybrid$11,572$65,34318%
University of MiamiFL · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$17,000$82,99920%
Southern Methodist UniversityTX · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$19,500$89,33022%
Florida State UniversityFL · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$14,442$65,94122%
University of FloridaFL · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · Hybrid$15,321$69,60022%
University of Florida-OnlineFL · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · Hybrid$15,321$69,60022%
University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$19,500$87,94622%
Marist CollegeNY · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationMaster’s degree · Hybrid$20,656$90,06023%
University of Colorado BoulderCO · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$18,500$74,77925%
University of GeorgiaGA · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$18,750$74,53125%
The University of Texas at AustinTX · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$20,402$80,22125%
University of GeorgiaGA · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingUndergraduate certificate · On campus$18,500$72,62625%
California Baptist UniversityCA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Communication Management and Strategic CommunicationsMaster’s degree · Hybrid$23,171$89,26526%
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$21,875$83,45126%
Seton Hall UniversityNJ · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$18,969$70,80227%
Northwood UniversityMI · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · Fully online$18,250$68,00827%
Syracuse UniversityNY · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,375$90,53527%
George Washington UniversityDC · Private nonprofitRequest information →Political CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,250$85,45927%
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOK · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$20,718$76,14827%
Texas Tech UniversityTX · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingMaster’s degree · Hybrid$22,489$81,19528%
Chapman UniversityCA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$22,250$80,13928%
University of OregonOR · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$20,500$73,41028%
University of PortlandOR · Private nonprofitRequest information →Organizational Communication, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campus$17,509$62,26428%
Washington State UniversityWA · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · Online or on campus$19,112$67,64728%
University of Central FloridaFL · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$17,883$62,14029%
Rowan UniversityNJ · PublicRequest information →Sports CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$18,159$62,66129%
University of San FranciscoCA · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,000$81,28530%
Pepperdine UniversityCA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, OtherBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,112$81,41730%
Central Washington UniversityWA · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$20,250$66,53830%
University of Northern IowaIA · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$19,500$64,06730%
Pennsylvania State University-World CampusPA · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · Hybrid$23,250$76,24630%
University of Rhode IslandRI · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$22,214$72,32831%
Pace UniversityNY · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,525$79,37631%
Endicott CollegeMA · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,000$77,25331%
University of HoustonTX · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$18,750$60,18031%
Quinnipiac UniversityCT · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,250$73,54732%
Illinois State UniversityIL · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$21,500$67,75232%
Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceRI · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,500$77,02532%
Johnson & Wales University-OnlineRI · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · Hybrid$24,500$77,02532%
Bowling Green State University-Main CampusOH · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$22,519$70,58332%
Biola UniversityCA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$20,000$62,31932%
Central Connecticut State UniversityCT · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$20,158$62,58032%
Texas Tech UniversityTX · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · Online or on campus$20,250$62,24733%
Michigan State UniversityMI · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$22,605$69,30033%
Universidad del Sagrado CorazonPR · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationMaster’s degree · On campus$14,167$43,12033%
Texas State UniversityTX · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$19,536$59,00933%
Texas Christian UniversityTX · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,668$71,18633%
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTN · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$21,119$63,31433%
American UniversityDC · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$26,442$78,41034%
Loyola University ChicagoIL · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, OtherBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,250$68,94234%
Appalachian State UniversityNC · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · Hybrid$18,836$55,67134%
Drake UniversityIA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$21,500$63,30234%
Ithaca CollegeNY · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,125$68,02934%
Auburn UniversityAL · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,000$67,41334%
Hofstra UniversityNY · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,250$66,78035%
Temple UniversityPA · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,827$67,84035%
Kennesaw State UniversityGA · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$22,660$64,50135%
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaSC · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$22,990$65,24835%
Otterbein UniversityOH · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$20,500$58,06535%
Flagler CollegeFL · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$18,956$53,35336%
Baldwin Wallace UniversityOH · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$22,125$61,96636%
Georgia Southern UniversityGA · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,250$64,93436%
Minnesota State University MoorheadMN · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$19,042$53,03636%
University of Nebraska-LincolnNE · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$22,102$61,14536%
Boise State UniversityID · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationUndergraduate certificate · Online or on campus$22,248$61,54436%
South Dakota State UniversitySD · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,499$67,60736%
Columbia College ChicagoIL · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,225$66,79836%
Drexel UniversityPA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · Fully online$24,249$66,75036%
Murray State UniversityKY · PublicRequest information →Organizational Communication, GeneralBachelor’s degree · Online or on campus$21,235$58,26536%
The University of AlabamaAL · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · Fully online$24,889$68,22736%
University of MemphisTN · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · Hybrid$21,250$58,23736%
University of Wisconsin-OshkoshWI · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$22,166$60,67237%
Iowa State UniversityIA · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,125$62,96537%
The University of TampaFL · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,375$63,36837%
Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionIN · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$26,563$71,66937%
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalIN · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · Hybrid$26,563$71,66937%
University of OregonOR · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingMaster’s degree · On campus$29,606$79,71637%
Gonzaga UniversityWA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$26,000$69,97737%
Missouri State University-SpringfieldMO · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$22,505$60,39037%
Marquette UniversityWI · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,286$64,97837%
Howard UniversityDC · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$25,750$67,88138%
SUNY at FredoniaNY · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$22,325$58,82038%
Ball State UniversityIN · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,250$60,68638%
St. John's University-New YorkNY · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, OtherBachelor’s degree · On campus$26,000$67,72838%
Cleveland State UniversityOH · PublicRequest information →Organizational Communication, GeneralBachelor’s degree · Online or on campus$21,500$55,17439%
Suffolk UniversityMA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, OtherBachelor’s degree · On campus$26,012$66,70939%
Eastern Illinois UniversityIL · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · Online or on campus$23,250$59,40139%
Western Michigan UniversityMI · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, OtherBachelor’s degree · Online or on campus$25,146$64,12739%
Rider UniversityNJ · Private nonprofitRequest information →Organizational Communication, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campus$25,000$63,61239%
University of Central OklahomaOK · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · Online or on campus$20,000$50,63639%
Wingate UniversityNC · Private nonprofitRequest information →Organizational Communication, GeneralBachelor’s degree · Hybrid$21,629$54,12940%
Emerson CollegeMA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Sports CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,719$59,30140%
Florida State UniversityFL · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationMaster’s degree · Fully online$31,020$77,54740%
Universidad del Sagrado CorazonPR · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$12,500$31,18940%
North Dakota State University-Main CampusND · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$21,968$54,65640%
State University of New York at OswegoNY · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · Hybrid$23,750$58,67540%
Kent State University at KentOH · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,417$60,21841%
Wayne State UniversityMI · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,055$59,02541%
The University of Texas at El PasoTX · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · Hybrid$20,200$49,55841%
Franklin UniversityOH · Private nonprofitRequest information →Organizational Communication, GeneralBachelor’s degree · Hybrid$26,332$64,10141%
SUNY College at PlattsburghNY · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,390$58,88841%
University of Central MissouriMO · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$26,000$61,78442%
Loras CollegeIA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$26,290$62,08742%
Georgetown UniversityDC · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementMaster’s degree · Fully online$49,149$115,09143%
Bradley UniversityIL · Private nonprofitRequest information →Sports CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$25,000$58,51543%
Arkansas State UniversityAR · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, OtherBachelor’s degree · Fully online$23,250$54,19643%
Lindenwood UniversityMO · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,718$55,00343%
Grand Valley State UniversityMI · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$25,000$57,59943%
California Baptist UniversityCA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Communication Management and Strategic CommunicationsBachelor’s degree · Hybrid$23,000$52,90443%
Boston UniversityMA · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingMaster’s degree · Online or on campus$39,224$90,21243%
Xavier UniversityOH · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$26,515$60,64244%
Ferris State UniversityMI · PublicRequest information →Sports CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$22,504$51,39644%
Susquehanna UniversityPA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$27,000$61,42344%
University of IdahoID · PublicRequest information →Organizational Communication, GeneralBachelor’s degree · Online or on campus$24,634$56,03244%
Eastern Michigan UniversityMI · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$26,590$59,92744%
University of Central ArkansasAR · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$20,500$45,64945%
Central Michigan UniversityMI · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$27,000$59,52245%
York College of PennsylvaniaPA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Sports CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$25,250$55,19746%
Metropolitan State University of DenverCO · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$23,096$50,47846%
Rochester Institute of TechnologyNY · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campusOffers: Game Design and Development (BS) · Game Design and Development (MS) · Film and Animation (BFA) · Motion Picture Science (BS) · 3D Visualization (Digital Design) (BFA) · New Media Design (BFA) · Graphic Design (BFA)$26,500$57,74846%
University of Southern IndianaIN · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$25,135$54,42246%
Western Kentucky UniversityKY · PublicRequest information →Organizational Communication, GeneralBachelor’s degree · Online or on campus$25,000$53,83946%
Loyola University New OrleansLA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · Fully online$24,735$53,24046%
University of Louisiana at LafayetteLA · PublicRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,625$51,08248%
University of ScrantonPA · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingBachelor’s degree · On campus$26,000$53,76248%
Northern Kentucky UniversityKY · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,225$49,98948%
Point Park UniversityPA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · Online or on campus$27,000$55,54549%
Florida Southern CollegeFL · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$25,710$52,79649%
Franklin CollegeIN · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$27,000$54,29850%
University of Akron Main CampusOH · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · Fully online$25,965$51,82450%
George Washington UniversityDC · Private nonprofitRequest information →Political CommunicationMaster’s degree · Online or on campus$51,254$101,93250%
Eastern Kentucky UniversityKY · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · Fully online$25,000$49,27251%
Harding UniversityAR · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$26,767$51,43452%
Hofstra UniversityNY · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementMaster’s degree · On campus$45,018$85,30053%
American UniversityDC · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementMaster’s degree · On campus$53,268$97,93254%
Capital UniversityOH · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$27,000$49,42655%
Morgan State UniversityMD · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$31,000$55,16956%
The University of Texas at AustinTX · PublicRequest information →AdvertisingMaster’s degree · On campus$47,657$83,46757%
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityFL · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$26,000$41,86162%
Lee UniversityTN · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$27,000$41,88264%
Full Sail UniversityFL · Private for-profitRequest information →Sports CommunicationMaster’s degree · Online or on campusOffers: Audio Production (BS) · Music Production (BS) · Recording Arts (BS) · Live Event Production (BS) · Music Business (BS) · Film Production (BFA) · Game Design (BS) · Game Development (BS) · Computer Animation (BS) · Graphic Design (BS) · Digital Marketing (BS)$38,253$53,82071%
Full Sail UniversityFL · Private for-profitRequest information →Sports CommunicationBachelor’s degree · Fully onlineOffers: Audio Production (BS) · Music Production (BS) · Recording Arts (BS) · Live Event Production (BS) · Music Business (BS) · Film Production (BFA) · Game Design (BS) · Game Development (BS) · Computer Animation (BS) · Graphic Design (BS) · Digital Marketing (BS)$30,500$42,71971%
Syracuse UniversityNY · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationMaster’s degree · Hybrid$71,289$87,50081%
Webster UniversityMO · Private nonprofitRequest information →AdvertisingMaster’s degree · Fully online$59,664$67,17489%
University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationMaster’s degree · On campus$82,426$89,76092%
Azusa Pacific UniversityCA · Private nonprofitRequest information →Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor’s degree · On campus$18,493——
Belmont UniversityTN · Private nonprofitRequest information →Communication Management and Strategic CommunicationsBachelor’s degree · On campus—$67,040—
California State University-Dominguez HillsCA · PublicRequest information →Public Relations/Image ManagementBachelor’s degree · On campus$13,375——

Showing 150 of 441 programs, lowest debt-to-earnings first. Sorting reorders these 150; narrow the filters to bring the rest into view.

Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)

How we are paid: StudyCreative earns revenue when readers ask to be connected with a school. No school pays to appear in these figures, to change them, or to be left out of them. Full disclosure.

One thing these figures cannot tell you

Earnings and debt are reported by the federal government at a four-digit program level, so a figure shown against “Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication” covers every related program at that institution rather than one named degree. Full methodology.