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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication

166 Ranked Colleges
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Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2021-2022, 4,517 people earned their degree in public relations, advertising, & applied communication, making the major the 170th most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major” ranking looked at 166 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public relations, advertising, & applied communication. That schools that top this list have a program in public relations, advertising, & applied communication in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for public relations, advertising, and applied communication students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication

1
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Universidad del Sagrado Corazon
Santurce, Puerto Rico

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Universidad del Sagrado Corazon. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major. This small school is located in Santurce, Puerto Rico, and it awarded 85 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Universidad del Sagrado Corazon

2

Out of the 166 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Webber International University landed the #2 spot on the list. Webber International University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Babson Park, Florida. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Webber International University

3
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Flagler College - St Augustine
Saint Augustine, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Flagler College - St Augustine. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major. Located in Saint Augustine, Florida, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 31 diplomas to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Flagler St. Augustine Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

4
Hard Work U crest
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend College of the Ozarks. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. College of the Ozarks is located in Point Lookout, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 10 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Hard Work U

5
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Howard University
Washington, District of Columbia

Out of the 166 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Howard University landed the #5 spot on the list. Howard is a fairly large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 80 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full Howard University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

6
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Ithaca College
Ithaca, New York

Ithaca College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Ithaca, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 79 students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ithaca College Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

7

University of Colorado Boulder did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #7. University of Colorado Boulder is a public institution located in Boulder, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 427 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at University of Colorado Boulder

8

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #8. UW - River Falls is a public institution located in River Falls, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

9
Loyola New Orleans crest
Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana

Loyola University New Orleans did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #9. Loyola University New Orleans is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New Orleans, Louisiana. It awarded 43 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Loyola University New Orleans

10

The University of Tampa landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. UT is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 89 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full The University of Tampa Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

11

With a ranking of #11, Texas Christian University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. This fairly large school is located in Fort Worth, Texas, and it awarded 159 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Texas Christian University

12

University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 174 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

13
Florida Memorial University crest
Florida Memorial University
Miami Gardens, Florida

Florida Memorial University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Florida Memorial University is located in Miami Gardens, Florida and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

Full Florida Memorial University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

14
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William Peace University
Raleigh, North Carolina

With a ranking of #14, William Peace University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. This small school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 3 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at William Peace University

15
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Drury University
Springfield, Missouri

Drury University ranked #15 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 11 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Drury University

16
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Midway University
Midway, Kentucky

Midway University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. This small school is located in Midway, Kentucky, and it awarded 17 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Midway University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

17
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Trinity Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia

With a ranking of #17, Trinity Washington University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Trinity College

18

Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #18. GVSU is a large school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 136 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Grand Valley State University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

19
Buffalo State crest
Buffalo State
Buffalo, New York

With a ranking of #19, Buffalo State did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Buffalo State is located in Buffalo, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 24 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Buffalo State Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

20
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Marist College
Poughkeepsie, New York

Marist College ranked #20 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Marist College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Poughkeepsie, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Marist College

21
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, California

With a ranking of #21, Biola University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Biola University is a medium-sized school located in La Mirada, California that handed out 18 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Biola University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

22
NWC crest
Northwestern College
Orange City, Iowa

Northwestern College ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. NWC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Orange City, Iowa. It awarded 2 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Northwestern College

23
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Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, Georgia

Kennesaw State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #23. KSU Georgia is a large public school situated in Kennesaw, Georgia. It awarded 142 ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full KSU Georgia Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

24
CCSU crest
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, Connecticut

Central Connecticut State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #24. New Britain, Connecticut is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 45 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at CCSU

25

Southwestern Adventist University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Keene, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 2 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Southwestern Adventist University Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

Notes and References

References

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