Cheapest Public Relations Colleges in Massachusetts

Salem State University delivers public relations and advertising education at just $18,441 net cost, while Emerson College charges $46,766 for similar programs. This $28,325 gap reflects Massachusetts' unique educational market where state schools compete alongside Boston's communication powerhouses. The state's advertising agencies, PR firms, and tech companies around Route 128 create strong internship networks for students. Graduates earn between $35,594 and $47,846, with some programs showing surprisingly modest debt loads despite high sticker prices. Boston University and Northeastern maintain 90% graduation rates but accept fewer than 15% of applicants, creating intense competition for spots in their communication programs.

Programs

$18,441 – $46,766

Net Price Range

$39,734

Avg. Program Earnings

73.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Salem State University Salem, Massachusetts	$18,441	$11,978	55.0%	92.7%
2	Boston University Boston, Massachusetts	$26,996	$65,168	90.0%	14.4%
3	Simmons University Boston, Massachusetts	$27,313	$45,538	71.2%	76.5%
4	Assumption University Worcester, Massachusetts	$28,853	$49,414	74.6%	82.3%
5	Suffolk University Boston, Massachusetts	$30,031	$45,380	59.8%	86.8%
6	Nichols College Dudley, Massachusetts	$31,065	$40,375	63.6%	84.9%
7	Western New England University Springfield, Massachusetts	$31,170	$46,430	63.9%	88.0%
8	Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts	$32,116	$63,141	90.4%	6.8%
9	Endicott College Beverly, Massachusetts	$39,324	$39,212	75.4%	73.3%
10	Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, Massachusetts	$43,273	$59,070	88.4%	57.5%
11	Emerson College Boston, Massachusetts	$46,766	$55,392	79.3%	42.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Salem State University such an affordable option for communication majors?

Salem State offers the lowest net cost at $18,441 with a 92.66% acceptance rate, making it accessible for most students. The public university provides in-state tuition of just $11,978, creating significant savings compared to private alternatives.

How do graduation rates vary between the most and least expensive programs?

Boston University achieves a 90% graduation rate at $26,996 net cost, while Salem State graduates 55% of students at $18,441. Emerson College, despite being the most expensive at $46,766, maintains a 79.30% graduation rate.

Does attending a more expensive school guarantee higher earnings after graduation?

Not necessarily. Assumption University graduates earn $47,846 with $27,000 debt, while Suffolk University graduates earn $35,594 despite similar program costs. Endicott College produces the lowest debt at $24,000 among schools reporting earnings data.

Where do students find the best acceptance odds for communication programs?

Salem State accepts 92.66% of applicants, followed by Western New England University at 88.01%. In contrast, Northeastern University accepts only 6.80% and Boston University accepts 14.37% of applicants.

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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.