Best Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates enter a competitive field where strategic messaging and brand management drive business success. With 179 schools offering programs in this area, students should prioritize institutions with strong industry connections, hands-on learning opportunities, and access to internships at agencies or corporations. Look for programs that emphasize digital marketing, crisis communication, and data analytics alongside traditional PR fundamentals. The average graduate earns $36,884 annually, though salaries vary significantly by location and specialization. Top programs feature faculty with professional experience, modern facilities, and partnerships with local media organizations. Students benefit most from curricula that blend theoretical knowledge with practical application through real client projects and portfolio development.

Schools Ranked

$45,889

Avg. Program Earnings

76.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	George Washington University Washington, District of Columbia	$52,107	85.2%	private-nonprofit
2	Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas	$49,344	83.3%	private-nonprofit
3	Academy of Art University San Francisco, California	$48,823	40.5%	private-forprofit
4	School of Visual Arts New York, New York	$48,823	74.9%	private-forprofit
5	American University Washington, District of Columbia	$48,432	78.5%	private-nonprofit
6	Assumption University Worcester, Massachusetts	$47,846	74.6%	private-nonprofit
7	National University San Diego, California	$47,260	50.0%	private-nonprofit
8	University of San Francisco San Francisco, California	$47,260	71.1%	private-nonprofit
9	Texas Christian University Fort Worth, Texas	$46,924	85.6%	private-nonprofit
10	Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington	$46,620	86.9%	private-nonprofit
11	Pepperdine University Malibu, California	$46,156	84.7%	private-nonprofit
12	Chapman University Orange, California	$45,767	80.4%	private-nonprofit
13	North Central College Naperville, Illinois	$45,584	71.1%	private-nonprofit
14	Miami University-Oxford Oxford, Ohio	$45,249	81.8%	public
15	Syracuse University Syracuse, New York	$44,934	81.4%	private-nonprofit
16	University of Southern California Los Angeles, California	$44,711	92.0%	private-nonprofit
17	Brigham Young University Provo, Utah	$44,276	82.2%	private-nonprofit
18	Otterbein University Westerville, Ohio	$44,170	68.9%	private-nonprofit
19	Carthage College Kenosha, Wisconsin	$43,798	60.5%	private-nonprofit
20	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$43,680	87.6%	public
21	University of Miami Coral Gables, Florida	$43,575	84.2%	private-nonprofit
22	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$43,404	87.2%	public
23	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, Illinois	$43,114	84.9%	public
24	Elmhurst University Elmhurst, Illinois	$42,682	65.2%	private-nonprofit
25	Manhattan College Riverdale, New York	$42,682	66.0%	private-nonprofit