Best Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication 2026
20 schools ranked by graduate earnings, real data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Top 20 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Programs by Graduate Earnings
| # | School | Earnings | Tuition | Accept Rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA | $86,425 | $58,222 | 51% | 5,697 |
| 2 | American University Washington, DC | $75,287 | $56,543 | 47% | 7,593 |
| 3 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY | $71,592 | $63,061 | 42% | 15,245 |
| 4 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA | $70,999 | $68,237 | 10% | 20,817 |
| 5 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX | $66,005 | $57,220 | 43% | 10,919 |
| 6 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | $65,345 | $42,778 | 29% | 42,100 |
| 7 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX | $65,215 | $64,460 | 61% | 7,106 |
| 8 | Miami University-Hamilton Hamilton, OH | $65,121 | $18,847 | N/A | 2,025 |
| 9 | Miami University-Middletown Middletown, OH | $65,121 | $18,847 | N/A | 871 |
| 10 | Miami University-Oxford Oxford, OH | $65,121 | $40,025 | 82% | 16,361 |
| 11 | Pepperdine University Malibu, CA | $64,905 | $66,742 | 50% | 3,629 |
| 12 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK | $64,730 | $26,665 | 77% | 21,496 |
| 13 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI | $62,762 | $35,804 | 77% | 13,822 |
| 14 | Gonzaga University Spokane, WA | $62,725 | $53,500 | 76% | 5,098 |
| 15 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL | $62,665 | $34,501 | 44% | 34,623 |
| 16 | University of Georgia Athens, GA | $62,187 | $30,220 | 37% | 31,310 |
| 17 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA | $62,118 | $20,170 | 34% | 33,654 |
| 18 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FL | $61,959 | $59,926 | 19% | 12,570 |
| 19 | University of Portland Portland, OR | $61,776 | $54,900 | 95% | 3,104 |
| 20 | Manhattan University Riverdale, NY | $61,402 | $50,850 | 78% | 2,928 |
Communications is an interdisciplinary major covering media studies, journalism, public relations, advertising, organizational communication, and digital media. Students develop skills in writing, storytelling, audience analysis, strategic messaging, and media production. The major is broad by design, preparing graduates to navigate careers that require both creative and analytical thinking about how information is created, distributed, and received.
Common career paths include public relations specialist ($50,000–$80,000), digital marketing manager, journalist, content strategist, social media manager, corporate communications director, and broadcast media professional. Communications graduates work at advertising agencies, public relations firms, media companies, corporations, nonprofits, and political campaigns. With experience, senior roles in corporate communications and marketing leadership can exceed $120,000.
Strong communications programs offer hands-on production labs, journalism studios, and real-world project experience including student newspapers, radio stations, and PR practicum courses. Look for programs with industry accreditation from ACEJMC (for journalism), active internship placement networks in media markets like New York, Los Angeles, or Washington D.C., and curriculum that addresses digital and social media alongside traditional communications theory. Earnings data matters especially for communications programs because outcomes vary widely: the rankings on this page use verified graduate data to identify schools whose graduates earn the most.
Earnings shown are median graduate earnings 4 years after graduation (or 1 year if 4-year data is unavailable), sourced from the College Scorecard.See full major data
Explore All Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Programs
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Compare SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a Communications program?
Prioritize programs with hands-on production facilities (broadcast studios, newsrooms, PR simulation labs), strong internship networks in major media markets, and curriculum that covers both digital and traditional communications. ACEJMC accreditation is a meaningful quality signal for journalism-focused programs. Alumni connections at PR firms, media companies, and marketing agencies are highly valuable.
What careers can I pursue with a Communications degree?
Communications graduates work in public relations, digital marketing, journalism, content strategy, advertising, social media management, corporate communications, event planning, and broadcasting. The degree is also a common pathway into law, business, and politics. Roles exist across virtually every industry, from entertainment and media to technology, finance, and government.
How much do Communications graduates earn?
Communications graduates typically start at $40,000–$60,000, with public relations and corporate communications roles on the higher end. Senior marketing and communications directors at major corporations can earn $100,000–$150,000. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, market, and employer. The data on this page reflects actual graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.