Cheapest Public Relations Colleges in Minnesota

The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities stands out among Minnesota's Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs with a net cost of just $17,139, nearly $13,000 less than the most expensive option. This gap reflects the state's mix of affordable public universities and pricier private colleges serving students entering fields that support Minnesota's major employers like Target, UnitedHealth, and the Mayo Clinic. Graduation rates vary significantly across the 12 programs, ranging from 38.40% at Metropolitan State University to 84.80% at the flagship Twin Cities campus. Early career earnings for graduates span from $33,993 to $41,937, with Winona State University leading in salary outcomes despite its moderate $18,148 net cost.

Programs

$17,139 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$36,868

Avg. Program Earnings

61.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

12 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
2	Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$17,566	$25,000	58.8%	69.1%
3	Bethany Lutheran College Mankato, Minnesota	$17,680	$30,010	59.6%	58.5%
4	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$17,816	$10,336	54.6%	56.6%
5	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148	$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
6	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
7	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181	$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
8	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$21,034	$43,160	67.7%	96.8%
9	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875	$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
10	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949	$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
11	University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$25,140	$36,830	68.4%	92.5%
12	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525	$52,284	75.2%	77.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities such a value for communication students?

The flagship campus combines the lowest net cost at $17,139 with the highest graduation rate at 84.80%. With an acceptance rate of 74.91%, students get access to a major research university education in Minneapolis for significantly less than private alternatives.

How do Minnesota State universities compare in cost and outcomes?

The three Minnesota State universities range from $17,816 to $19,181 in net cost, making them consistently affordable options. Winona State leads with the highest earnings at $41,937 for graduates, while Moorhead maintains a reasonable debt load of $19,042.

Is there a significant earnings difference between public and private programs?

Surprisingly, public Winona State University produces the highest-earning graduates at $41,937 annually. Private institutions like Saint Mary's ($33,993) and Augsburg ($35,060) actually show lower early career earnings despite much higher tuition costs.

What should students know about acceptance rates across Minnesota programs?

Acceptance rates range from 56.62% at Minnesota State Moorhead to 96.83% at Saint Mary's University. Most private colleges accept over 90% of applicants, while public universities tend to be more selective, particularly Moorhead and Bethany Lutheran at around 57-58%.

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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.