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Cheapest Public Relations Colleges in Ohio

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Wilberforce University stands out among Ohio's Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs with a net cost of just $7,349, making it roughly half the price of the next cheapest option. This private historically black university contrasts sharply with public institutions like Youngstown State at $11,877, creating an unusual changing where private education becomes the budget choice. Ohio's communication programs serve a state where major employers like Cleveland Clinic and Honda demand skilled public relations professionals to manage corporate communications and brand messaging. The 20 programs span from $7,349 to $22,539, with graduation rates varying dramatically from 16% to 65.5%. Youngstown State offers the best value among public options at $10,791 in-state tuition, while Kent State provides stronger earning potential at $38,577 despite higher costs. Students can leverage the Ohio College Opportunity Grant to reduce expenses further, particularly valuable given that many programs show median debt loads between $21,500 and $25,965.
30
Programs
$7,349 – $32,342
Net Price Range
$37,708
Avg. Program Earnings
53.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

30 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,349 $14,776 16.0% 45.1%
2 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
3 $13,346 $7,278 21.6%
4 $13,824 $7,278 24.5%
5 $14,981 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
6 $16,065 $12,613 48.9% 85.3%
7 $17,430 $36,298 49.5% 96.3%
8 $18,027 $37,860 53.2% 85.1%
9 $18,372 $38,974 58.1% 82.9%
10 $19,476 $34,370 47.9% 52.4%
11 $19,614 $12,846 65.5% 88.0%
12 $20,204 $31,440 52.7% 86.4%
13 $20,477 $32,606 36.6% 78.5%
14 $20,918 $14,081 62.8% 78.7%
15 $21,296 $36,032 41.9% 54.1%
16 $21,662 $33,628 49.8% 71.4%
17 $21,812 $35,524 63.6% 85.3%
18 $21,994 $28,910 60.6% 71.8%
19 $22,140 $34,899 68.9% 83.7%
20 $22,539 $35,400 64.9% 75.8%
21 $22,605 $9,577 30.3%
22 $22,872 $30,962 55.1% 88.1%
23 $23,156 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
24 $23,585 $41,788 65.5% 72.2%
25 $23,731 $39,646 62.6% 86.0%
26 $23,758 $32,400 43.0% 82.8%
27 $25,727 $37,800 74.2% 54.4%
28 $27,654 $37,938 68.6% 77.0%
29 $27,662 $17,809 81.8% 87.9%
30 $32,342 $48,125 70.5% 84.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Wilberforce University so much cheaper than other Ohio communication programs?

Wilberforce University offers a net cost of $7,349, which is $4,500 less than the second cheapest option, Youngstown State at $11,877. As a private nonprofit institution, Wilberforce likely provides significant financial aid packages to achieve this low net price. However, students should weigh this cost advantage against the 16% graduation rate, which is substantially lower than most other programs in the state.

How do public university costs compare to private options for communication majors in Ohio?

Public universities generally offer lower sticker prices, with in-state tuition ranging from $7,278 at Miami University branches to $14,081 at Bowling Green State. However, net costs tell a different story, spanning from $11,877 at Youngstown State to $20,918 at Bowling Green. Several private colleges like Wilberforce at $7,349 and Bluffton at $17,430 actually cost less than some public options after financial aid.

Which Ohio communication programs offer the best earning potential after graduation?

Kent State University leads in graduate earnings at $38,577, followed closely by Bowling Green State at $38,559. Both programs cost around $19,000-$21,000 in net price, making them solid investments for career outcomes. Cleveland State graduates earn $35,518 with a lower net cost of $16,065, while University of Akron graduates earn $35,365 at $14,981 net cost, providing good value propositions.

Does acceptance rate affect program quality for PR and advertising students in Ohio?

Acceptance rates vary widely, from 45.12% at Wilberforce to 96.29% at Bluffton University. Ohio Dominican maintains the most selective program among moderately priced options at 52.42% acceptance with a $19,476 net cost. Kent State accepts 88.02% of applicants while maintaining a strong 65.5% graduation rate and $38,577 median earnings, suggesting that selectivity doesn't always correlate with outcomes.

Where can communication students find the best graduation rates in Ohio?

Kent State University achieves the highest graduation rate at 65.5% among communication programs, followed by Bowling Green State at 62.8%. Both institutions charge net costs above $19,000 but deliver strong completion rates. Marietta College reaches 58.1% graduation at $18,372 net cost, while Ursuline College hits 53.2% at $18,027, showing that mid-priced private options can offer solid completion rates.

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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.