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Public Relations Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

The University of Florida stands out among affordable Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs with graduates earning $40,089 annually while maintaining a 91.50% graduation rate. This performance gap becomes stark when compared to other budget-friendly options like Dalton State College at $4,694 net cost but only 29.60% graduation rates. California State University systems dominate the affordable market, with three campuses offering programs under $9,000 annually. The communications industry benefits from strong regional job markets, particularly in California where entertainment and tech companies create steady demand for PR and advertising professionals. Puerto Rican institutions offer particularly low costs, with Universidad Ana G. Mendez campuses providing education for under $8,000. However, the data reveals concerning trends at some schools where low costs correlate with poor outcomes. Northern Kentucky University graduates earn $34,847 with reasonable debt levels of $24,225, showing that affordable doesn't always mean compromised career prospects. The 15 most affordable programs range from $3,659 to $8,931 in net costs, yet graduation rates span from just 16% to over 90%, highlighting the importance of examining outcomes beyond price alone.
50
Programs
$3,659 – $13,670
Net Price Range
$32,647
Avg. Program Earnings
51.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
3 $4,694 $3,283 29.6%
4 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
5 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
6 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
7 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
8 $7,349 $14,776 16.0% 45.1%
9 $7,559 $6,920 31.1%
10 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
11 $7,668 $6,920 30.2%
12 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
13 $8,245 $5,580 43.1% 52.8%
14 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
15 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
16 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
17 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
18 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
19 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
20 $10,082 $6,340 47.9% 94.7%
21 $10,089 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
22 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
23 $10,722 $6,391 43.0%
24 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
25 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
26 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
27 $10,988 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
28 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
29 $11,408 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
30 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
31 $11,812 $7,912 22.1% 64.8%
32 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
33 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
34 $12,202 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
35 $12,251 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
36 $12,473 $21,000 23.0%
37 $12,621 $10,136 52.0% 94.4%
38 $12,638 $9,800 39.8%
39 $12,832 $7,388 44.7% 86.8%
40 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
41 $13,024 $6,360 43.6% 55.2%
42 $13,085 $7,754 55.1% 69.5%
43 $13,253 $10,344 49.4% 94.6%
44 $13,346 $7,278 21.6%
45 $13,375 $8,044 32.1%
46 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
47 $13,493 $5,633 47.8% 88.0%
48 $13,584 $14,694 56.9% 90.1%
49 $13,630 $25,950 51.8% 60.1%
50 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge graduation rate gap between affordable communications programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 16% at Wilberforce University to 91.50% at University of Florida, despite both offering affordable tuition. Selective admissions often correlate with higher completion rates, as UF accepts only 23.35% of applicants while Wilberforce accepts 45.12%. Public universities with established support systems typically outperform smaller private institutions. Regional economic factors also influence student retention and success rates significantly.

How do California State University communications programs compare in value?

Three Cal State campuses appear among the most affordable options, with net costs ranging from $3,659 at Dominguez Hills to $8,931 at Long Beach. Dominguez Hills graduates earn $36,099 annually with relatively low debt of $13,375. Long Beach shows the highest graduation rate at 69.90% among Cal State programs listed. All three campuses maintain high acceptance rates above 85%, making them accessible options for California residents.

Is the University of Florida online program worth considering over traditional options?

UF Online costs $4,702 compared to $6,351 for the traditional campus program, saving nearly $1,650 annually. Both programs report identical earnings of $40,089 for graduates and similar debt levels of $15,321. The online program maintains a solid 77.70% graduation rate and accepts 64.64% of applicants. This makes UF Online particularly attractive for out-of-state students seeking Florida's strong communications job market without relocation costs.

What makes Puerto Rican universities so affordable for communications students?

University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras costs just $6,507 with graduates earning $18,498, though this reflects local salary scales. Private institutions like Universidad Ana G. Mendez offer programs under $8,000 with graduation rates around 30%. Students benefit from Spanish-English bilingual skills valued in national PR markets. However, lower local salaries mean graduates often relocate to mainland markets for higher-paying positions in major metropolitan areas.

Does College of the Ozarks justify its unique work-study model for communications majors?

College of the Ozarks costs $7,669 through its work-study program where students work campus jobs instead of paying tuition. Graduates earn $32,391 annually with a respectable 61.30% graduation rate despite the demanding work requirements. The college accepts only 21.13% of applicants, making it highly selective among affordable options. Students graduate debt-free, which provides significant advantages when entering competitive communications fields where entry-level salaries may be modest.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.