Best Schools for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates earn a median of $62,266 within four years of graduating, ranking #133 out of 283 tracked majors. There are 209 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 17,408 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Syracuse University graduates earn $90,535 while University of Puerto Rico-Carolina graduates earn $18,739 — a $71,796 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates see an average 2% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

209

Schools

$62,266

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#133

of 283 Majors

17,408

Graduates

Public vs Private: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

Public (97 schools)

$61,549

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (110 schools)

$63,552

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $2,003 more in early earnings on average for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication by State

Also by state: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Washington DC, Wisconsin

Top Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Schools by Graduate Earnings

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY · Private

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

George Washington University

Washington, DC · Private

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL · Private

Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA · Private

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private

Brigham Young University

Provo, UT · Private

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public

Chapman University

Orange, CA · Private

Miami University-Oxford

Oxford, OH · Public

Pace University

New York, NY · Private

American University

Washington, DC · Private

Endicott College

Beverly, MA · Private

$77,253

4yr Earnings

26 grads · small sample

Pacific Union College

Angwin, CA · Private

$77,121

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

1yr: $31,215 (18)

Acceptance: 42.5%

#17

Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Providence, RI · Private

Johnson & Wales University-Online

Providence, RI · Private

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg

Middletown, PA · Public

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine

Media, PA · Public

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA · Public

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

University Park, PA · Public

University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Norman, OK · Public

Manhattan University

Riverdale, NY · Private

$75,594

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

2yr: $42,682 (13)

Acceptance: 78.5%

#25

Butler University

Indianapolis, IN · Private

$75,382

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 85.9%

#26

Assumption University

Worcester, MA · Private

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public

University of Georgia

Athens, GA · Public

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, CT · Private

University of Oregon

Eugene, OR · Public

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI · Public

Clemson University

Clemson, SC · Public

$71,968

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 38.0%

#33

Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

Marion, IN · Private

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX · Private

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

Seton Hall University

South Orange, NJ · Private

$70,802

4yr Earnings

30 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 78.9%

#37

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, OH · Public

$70,583

4yr Earnings

28 grads · small sample

Gonzaga University

Spokane, WA · Private

Fashion Institute of Technology

New York, NY · Public

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL · Public

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

Carthage College

Kenosha, WI · Private

$68,708

4yr Earnings

19 grads · small sample

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public

Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY · Private

Northwood University

Midland, MI · Private

$68,008

4yr Earnings

22 grads · small sample

Howard University

Washington, DC · Private

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA · Public

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

Showing top 50 of 209 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Special Education and Teaching $37,709 Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services $37,661 Plant Sciences $37,467 Chemistry $37,376 Architecture and Related Services, Other $37,279 Hospitality Administration/Management $37,029

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication?

Syracuse University ranks #1 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication with median graduate earnings of $90,535 within four years of graduating. There are 209 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates earn?

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates earn an average of $62,266 within four years of graduating. This is near the median across all majors. Earnings range from $18,739 to $90,535 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication program?

The average acceptance rate across Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs is 73.7%. The most selective program is at University of Southern California with a 10.0% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication?

Private Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs average $63,552 in early earnings vs $61,549 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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