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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Relations & Advertising (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

51 Ranked Colleges
3,669 Degrees Awarded
$9,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 21,099 people earned their degree in public relations and advertising, making the major the 52nd most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, public relations and advertising graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,287 and had an average of $23,973 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,669 public relations and advertising graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,239 and $24,698 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 51 colleges that offered a degree in public relations and advertising. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public relations and advertising programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the public relations and advertising program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 “Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Relations & Advertising (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 54 diplomas to qualified ’s public relations students in 2020-2021.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $245 for great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Northwestern University Public Relations & Advertising Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 247 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $4,858 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. 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 full report on Public Relations & Advertising at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

3
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Michigan State University is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 588 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $6,927 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at Michigan State University

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, IUPUI has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,026 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend IUPUI.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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%.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

5
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ball State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 111 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ball State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $8,273 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Ball State University

6

Miami University - Oxford came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 146 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford also took the #5 spot in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Miami University - Oxford is $13,956 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 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 full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Miami University - Oxford

7

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 64 diplomas to qualified ’s public relations students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - River Falls has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $8,438 for great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

8
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ferris State University is a fairly large public school situated in Big Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 25 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,577 for great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ferris.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Ferris State University

9
GVSU crest
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. GVSU is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 208 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, GVSU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $10,259 for great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full GVSU Public Relations & Advertising Report

10
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 101 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, Central Michigan has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $10,805 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 at Central Michigan University

11
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 23 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,949 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oakland.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakland Public Relations & Advertising Report

12

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $9,547 for great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

13

Sinclair Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 17 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $3,594 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Sinclair Community College

14
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public relations degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.

WMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Western Michigan University is $13,112 for great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at Western Michigan University

15
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Bradley University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bradley is a medium-sized school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 69 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bradley has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley is $16,588 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Bradley

16
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marquette University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 103 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Marquette not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Marquette is $18,589 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Marquette University

17
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school handed out 58 degrees to qualified ’s public relations students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State is $11,060 for great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Wayne State Public Relations & Advertising Report

18
Illinois State crest
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 89 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $13,783 for great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois State University Public Relations & Advertising Report

19
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, Ohio

With a ranking of #19, Franklin University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Franklin University is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s public relations degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Franklin University is $6,527 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 at Franklin University

20

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW Oshkosh is a public institution located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is $9,499 for great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

21
USI crest
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USI is a public institution located in Evansville, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern Indiana is $7,815 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Southern Indiana Public Relations & Advertising Report

22
Albion crest
Albion College
Albion, Michigan

Albion College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. This small school is located in Albion, Michigan, and it awarded 5 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Albion is $10,452 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Albion Public Relations & Advertising Report

23
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #23, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 25 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $11,015 for great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at EIU

24

Miami University - Hamilton ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Hamilton, Ohio, this small public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified ’s public relations students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Miami University - Hamilton is $10,607 for great lakes region public relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Relations & Advertising at Miami University - Hamilton

25

Kent State University at Kent came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kent State University at Kent is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 55 ’s public relations degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,793 for Great Lakes Region Public Relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kent State University at Kent.

Read more about Public Relations & Advertising at Kent State University at Kent

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