College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Relations & Advertising

120 Colleges in the United States
2,276 Master's Degrees
$49,379 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on getting your master's degree in public relations and advertising, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #63 in the country in terms of popularity. As a result, there are many colleges that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 120 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for public relations and advertising students pursuing a master's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 2,276 master's degrees in public relations and advertising to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Public Relations & Advertising School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Relations & Advertising The public relations master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Relations & Advertising ranking is to help you make that choice.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of public relations and advertising students usually has them for a reason. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Public Relations & Advertising Schools

Associate Degrees in Public Relations
Bachelor's Degrees in Public Relations
Doctor's Degrees in Public Relations
Overall Popularity in Public Relations

This is not our only ranking, nor the only degree level we have ranked. In addition to this ranking, you may want to take at the rankings for different degree levels as called out above. You can also narrow your search by location by filtering for a certain area of the country. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for public relations and advertising.

The following list ranks the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in public relations and advertising. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

18 Most Well Attended Schools for Public Relations Students Working on Their Master's

1
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
165 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In DC
#1 Best Quality In DC

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Georgetown University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in public relations and advertising. Georgetown is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in District of Columbia.

There were about 165 public relations and advertising individuals who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent year we have data available.

Those public relations and advertising students who get their master's degree from Georgetown University earn $21,921 more than the standard public relations graduate.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from Georgetown University

2
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
152 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#1 Best Quality In NY

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in public relations and advertising needs to check out Syracuse University. Located in the midsize city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in New York.

There were about 152 public relations and advertising students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from Syracuse University

3
145 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WV
#1 Best Quality In WV

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at West Virginia University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in public relations and advertising. WVU is a fairly large public university located in the city of Morgantown. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in West Virginia.

There were roughly 145 public relations and advertising individuals who graduated with this degree at WVU in the most recent data year.

Those public relations and advertising students who get their master's degree from West Virginia University receive $3,021 more than the typical public relations graduate.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from West Virginia University

4
142 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NH
#1 Best Quality In NH

Southern New Hampshire University is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in public relations and advertising. SNHU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized suburb of Manchester. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in New Hampshire.

There were roughly 142 public relations and advertising individuals who graduated with this degree at SNHU in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the public relations program report average early career income of $39,400.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from Southern New Hampshire University

5
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
100 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#1 Best Quality In MA

Located in the city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in Massachusetts.

There were approximately 100 public relations and advertising individuals who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent year we have data available.

Public Relations & Advertising master's degree recipients from Boston University earn a boost of about $4,121 above the typical income of public relations and advertising majors.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from Boston University

6
79 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#1 Best Quality In CA

Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in California.

There were about 79 public relations and advertising individuals who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the public relations program state that they receive average early career wages of $42,100.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from University of Southern California

7
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL
64 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#5 Best Quality In FL

Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit university located in the large suburb of Winter Park. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in Florida.

There were approximately 64 public relations and advertising students who graduated with this degree at Full Sail University in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the public relations program report average early career wages of $37,200.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from Full Sail University

8
62 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In DC
#2 Best Quality In DC

Located in the city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in District of Columbia.

There were roughly 62 public relations and advertising individuals who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent data year.

Master's recipients from the public relations and advertising major at George Washington University get $12,421 more than the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from George Washington University

9
54 Annual Master's Degrees
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
$27,900 Median Salary

Sagrado is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santurce.

There were roughly 54 public relations and advertising students who graduated with this degree at Sagrado in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduating, public relations master's recipients usually earn around $27,900 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from Universidad del Sagrado Corazon

9
54 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#5 Best Quality In TX

Located in the large city of Lubbock, Texas Tech is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in Texas.

There were roughly 54 public relations and advertising individuals who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from Texas Tech University

11
50 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in Illinois.

There were approximately 50 public relations and advertising individuals who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

Master's recipients from the public relations and advertising degree program at Northwestern University earn $30,521 more than the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from Northwestern University

12
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
44 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In FL
#2 Best Quality In FL

Florida State is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Tallahassee. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in Florida.

There were about 44 public relations and advertising individuals who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the public relations program report average early career earnings of $43,000.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from Florida State University

13
38 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TX
#1 Best Quality In TX

UT Austin is a very large public university located in the city of Austin. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in Texas.

There were roughly 38 public relations and advertising individuals who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent data year.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the public relations program earn about $42,900 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from The University of Texas at Austin

13
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
38 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#3 Best Quality In IL

DePaul is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in Illinois.

There were approximately 38 public relations and advertising individuals who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduating, public relations master's recipients typically make about $45,700 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from DePaul University

13
38 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AL
#2 Best Quality In AL

Located in the town of Troy, TROY is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in Alabama. More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from Troy University

16
The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
37 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In DC
#3 Best Quality In DC

Located in the city of Washington, The American University is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in District of Columbia.

There were roughly 37 public relations and advertising individuals who graduated with this degree at The American University in the most recent year we have data available.

Those public relations and advertising students who get their master's degree from American University earn $2,521 more than the typical public relations graduate.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from American University

17
36 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#4 Best Quality In NY

CCNY is a large public college located in the city of New York. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in New York.

There were approximately 36 public relations and advertising students who graduated with this degree at CCNY in the most recent data year.

Those public relations and advertising students who get their master's degree from The City College of New York receive $10,321 more than the standard public relations grad.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from The City College of New York

17
Marist crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
36 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#3 Best Quality In NY

Marist is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Poughkeepsie. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in public relations and advertising in New York.

There were about 36 public relations and advertising students who graduated with this degree at Marist in the most recent data year.

Those public relations and advertising students who get their master's degree from Marist College make $14,121 more than the typical public relations grad.

More information about a master’s in public relations and advertising from Marist College

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Relations & Advertising award.

Rank College Location
19 St John’s University - New York Queens, NY
20 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
20 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
20 University of Oregon Eugene, OR
23 School of Visual Arts New York, NY
24 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL
25 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
25 Emerson College Boston, MA
25 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ

Public Relations & Advertising by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Relations & Advertising for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 5 majors within the Communication & Journalism area of study, Public Relations & Advertising has other similar majors worth exploring.

Public Relations Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication 631
Public Relations 425
General Organizational Communication 276
Advertising 223
Other Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication 208
Health Communication 137
International & Intercultural Communication 114
Communication Management and Strategic Communications 88
Technical & Scientific Communication 63
Sports Communication 56

Related Major Annual Graduates
Communication & Media Studies 4,541
Radio, Television & Digital Communication 1,872
Journalism 1,391
Communication & Journalism (Other) 471
Publishing 185

Notes and References

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options