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2023 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication

36 Ranked Colleges
834 Degrees Awarded
$32,400 Avg Cost*
Schools for a Master's Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major” ranking.

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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 834 public relations, advertising, & applied communication graduates with average earnings and debt of $58,979 and $43,370 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major” ranking, we looked at 36 colleges that offer a degree 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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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major”.

Top 25 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication

1
Sagrado crest
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 for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major. Universidad del Sagrado Corazon is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santurce, Puerto Rico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 59 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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 Sagrado

2
Trinity College crest
Trinity Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Trinity Washington University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 6 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Trinity College

3
Marist crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, New York

Out of the 36 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Marist College landed the #3 spot on the list. Marist College is a medium-sized school located in Poughkeepsie, New York that handed out 56 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

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

4
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Syracuse University. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major. Syracuse is a large school located in Syracuse, New York that handed out 125 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, 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 90%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Syracuse

5
Saint Peter's College crest
Saint Peter's University
Jersey City, New Jersey

Out of the 36 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Peter’s University landed the #5 spot on the list. Jersey City, New Jersey is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 10 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%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Saint Peter’s College

6
Emerson crest
Emerson College
Boston, Massachusetts

Emerson College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Emerson College is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 19 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 Emerson College Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

7
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University ranked #7 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 74 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%.

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

8

The City College of New York landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. New York, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 21 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at The City College of New York

9
Sacred Heart crest
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, Connecticut

Sacred Heart University ranked #9 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Sacred Heart University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Fairfield, Connecticut. It awarded 18 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Sacred Heart

10
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

With a ranking of #10, Texas Tech University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Texas Tech is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 44 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Texas Tech University

11
Universidad del Turabo crest
Universidad del Turabo
Gurabo, Puerto Rico

With a ranking of #11, Universidad del Turabo did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Universidad del Turabo is a private not-for-profit institution located in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Universidad del Turabo

12

The University of West Florida ranked #12 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. The University of West Florida is a fairly large public school situated in Pensacola, Florida. It awarded 16 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at The University of West Florida

13
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 63 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

14
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. University of Mississippi is a large school located in University, Mississippi that handed out 51 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ole Miss Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

15
East Stroudsburg University crest
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #15. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 8 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

16
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

17

With a ranking of #17, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Ponce did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Ponce is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It awarded 2 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Ponce Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

18

Maryville University of Saint Louis did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking, coming in at #18. Maryville U is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 23 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% 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 Maryville U Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

18
Gannon crest
Gannon University
Erie, Pennsylvania

Gannon University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Gannon University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Gannon Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

20
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Ball State is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 Ball State Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

21

Texas Christian University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Texas Christian University is a fairly large school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 9 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

22
Coastal Carolina University crest
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, South Carolina

Coastal Carolina University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Coastal Carolina University is a public institution located in Conway, South Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 more about Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Coastal Carolina University

23
Buffalo State crest
Buffalo State
Buffalo, New York

Buffalo State landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Buffalo State is located in Buffalo, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7 masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% 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 full report on Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication at Buffalo State

24
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

With a ranking of #24, University of North Florida did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major list. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNF Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication Report

25
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Major ranking. Eugene, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public relations, advertising, and applied communication degrees to 10 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, 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 87%.

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

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