Cheapest Public Relations Colleges in California

California State University-Dominguez Hills delivers the state's most affordable Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication education at just $3,659 net cost annually. This represents a massive $45,750 savings compared to Pepperdine University's $45,409 net price, creating one of the largest cost gaps among any major in California higher education. The 15 available programs span from ultra-affordable public options to premium private institutions, with graduates earning between $24,421 and $48,823 annually. California's media and tech market offers strong career prospects, as companies like Netflix, Disney, Apple, and Meta maintain major operations requiring skilled communication professionals. The state's entertainment industry alone employs over 700,000 workers, while Silicon Valley's tech giants continuously seek marketing and PR talent to manage their global brands.

Programs

$3,659 – $50,168

Net Price Range

$41,267

Avg. Program Earnings

65.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-Dominguez Hills Carson, California	$3,659	$7,064	46.9%	89.1%
2	California State University-Northridge Northridge, California	$7,599	$7,095	56.2%	91.2%
3	California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, California	$8,931	$7,008	69.9%	40.0%
4	San Jose State University San Jose, California	$13,741	$7,992	64.7%	76.7%
5	San Diego State University San Diego, California	$16,174	$8,290	78.3%	39.3%
6	Azusa Pacific University Azusa, California	$19,798	$43,600	64.4%	87.0%
7	Pacific Union College Angwin, California	$20,979	$35,214	51.5%	48.5%
8	La Sierra University Riverside, California	$26,217	$35,910	68.1%	91.9%
9	California Baptist University Riverside, California	$27,384	$39,720	59.5%	79.9%
10	Biola University La Mirada, California	$28,101	$46,704	68.8%	56.6%
11	National University San Diego, California	$31,058	$13,320	50.0%
12	University of Southern California Los Angeles, California	$31,927	$68,237	92.0%	12.0%
13	University of San Francisco San Francisco, California	$39,495	$58,222	71.1%	71.2%
14	Academy of Art University San Francisco, California	$39,778	$28,024	40.5%
15	Pepperdine University Malibu, California	$45,409	$66,742	84.7%	48.7%
16	Chapman University Orange, California	$47,527	$62,784	80.4%	72.5%
17	Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, California	$50,168	$43,550	73.8%	81.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes California State University-Dominguez Hills so affordable compared to other programs?

CSU-Dominguez Hills achieves its $3,659 net cost through substantial state funding and generous financial aid packages. The school maintains an 89.13% acceptance rate while keeping in-state tuition at just $7,064. Graduates earn an average of $36,099, providing solid return on investment despite the low program cost.

How do public and private school costs compare for this major in California?

Public universities average around $10,000 in net costs, while private institutions range from $19,798 to $45,409 annually. The most expensive option, Pepperdine University, costs over 12 times more than CSU-Dominguez Hills. However, graduates from Academy of Art University earn the highest starting salaries at $48,823, nearly double the lowest at $24,421.

Is the graduation rate significantly different between affordable and expensive programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically, from CSU-Dominguez Hills' 46.90% to USC's impressive 92.00% six-year completion rate. Surprisingly, some mid-priced schools like San Diego State achieve strong 78.30% graduation rates at just $16,174 net cost. The most affordable options typically show lower completion rates, though San Jose State breaks this pattern with 64.70% at $13,741.

Where do graduates typically find employment after completing these programs?

California's varied economy provides opportunities across entertainment, technology, and traditional media sectors. Los Angeles area graduates often join major studios, agencies, and production companies, while Bay Area alumni frequently work for tech giants requiring sophisticated communication strategies. Starting salaries range from $24,421 to $48,823, with National University and University of San Francisco graduates commanding the highest at $47,260.

More Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Rankings

Best Value Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication in California Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Under $20,000 in California

All Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Programs Best Colleges in California Best Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication in California

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