100 Best colleges for Communications and Public Relations in the United States

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Communications and Public Relations. A graph of 11.3M citations received by 449K academic papers made by 794 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Communications and Public Relations

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 74%

2. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Communications and Public Relations

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

3. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Communications and Public Relations

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $14,731
Enrollment: 52,319

4. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Communications and Public Relations

#5 in North America

#5 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,381
Enrollment: 80,065

5. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Communications and Public Relations

#6 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,491

6. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Communications and Public Relations

#7 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,279

7. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Communications and Public Relations

#8 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,060

8. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Communications and Public Relations

#9 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 94%

9. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Communications and Public Relations

#10 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

10. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Communications and Public Relations

#11 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $21,669
Enrollment: 45,307

11. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Communications and Public Relations

#12 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,123

12. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Communications and Public Relations

#13 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 63%

13. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Communications and Public Relations

#14 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,058

14. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Communications and Public Relations

#15 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

15. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Communications and Public Relations

#16 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 58%

16. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Communications and Public Relations

#17 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,499

17. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Communications and Public Relations

#20 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 70%

18. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Communications and Public Relations

#21 in North America

#30 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $36,808

19. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Communications and Public Relations

#22 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

20. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Communications and Public Relations

#23 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 59%

21. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Communications and Public Relations

#24 in North America

#38 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 89%

22. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Communications and Public Relations

#26 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 83%

23. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Communications and Public Relations

#27 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

24. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Communications and Public Relations

#29 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

25. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Communications and Public Relations

#30 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

26. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Communications and Public Relations

#31 in North America

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $24,034

27. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Communications and Public Relations

#32 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 54%

28. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Communications and Public Relations

#33 in North America

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $42,723

29. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Communications and Public Relations

#34 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

30. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Communications and Public Relations

#35 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $36,991

31. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Communications and Public Relations

#36 in North America

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 81%

32. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Communications and Public Relations

#37 in North America

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,829

33. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Communications and Public Relations

#38 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 57%
Average Aid: $21,766
Enrollment: 46,430

34. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Communications and Public Relations

#39 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

35. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Communications and Public Relations

#40 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 36
Net Price: $20,232

36. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Communications and Public Relations

#41 in North America

#65 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,647

37. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Communications and Public Relations

#42 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

38. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Communications and Public Relations

#43 in North America

#69 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 95%

39. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Communications and Public Relations

#45 in North America

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 93%

40. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Communications and Public Relations

#46 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $35,566

41. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Communications and Public Relations

#48 in North America

#80 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 98%

42. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Communications and Public Relations

#49 in North America

#81 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,694

43. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Communications and Public Relations

#50 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1488
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,559

44. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Communications and Public Relations

#52 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

45. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Communications and Public Relations

#53 in North America

#86 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 96%

46. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Communications and Public Relations

#55 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 71%

47. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Communications and Public Relations

#56 in North America

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,095

48. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Communications and Public Relations

#57 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $33,499

49. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Communications and Public Relations

#58 in North America

#93 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

50. SUNY at Albany

New York State | Albany

For Communications and Public Relations

#59 in North America

#97 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

51. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Communications and Public Relations

#60 in North America

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

52. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Communications and Public Relations

#61 in North America

#102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

53. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Communications and Public Relations

#63 in North America

#105 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 91%

54. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Communications and Public Relations

#64 in North America

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $43,651

55. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Communications and Public Relations

#65 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 95%

56. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Communications and Public Relations

#66 in North America

#115 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

57. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Communications and Public Relations

#67 in North America

#116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 93%

58. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Communications and Public Relations

#68 in North America

#117 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $17,411
Enrollment: 35,937

59. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Communications and Public Relations

#69 in North America

#118 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,140
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

60. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Communications and Public Relations

#70 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,575
Enrollment: 33,196

61. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Communications and Public Relations

#71 in North America

#128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

62. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Communications and Public Relations

#72 in North America

#129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 73%

63. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Communications and Public Relations

#73 in North America

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 80%

64. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Communications and Public Relations

#74 in North America

#133 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

65. Texas Tech University

Texas | Lubbock

For Communications and Public Relations

#76 in North America

#136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 88%

66. Brigham Young University - Provo

Utah | Provo

For Communications and Public Relations

#77 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1374
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $13,521

67. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Communications and Public Relations

#78 in North America

#138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $28,474

68. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Communications and Public Relations

#79 in North America

#141 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $26,680

69. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Communications and Public Relations

#80 in North America

#144 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

70. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Communications and Public Relations

#81 in North America

#146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $38,279

71. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Communications and Public Relations

#82 in North America

#151 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 84%

72. Binghamton University

New York State | Vestal

For Communications and Public Relations

#83 in North America

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 80%

73. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Communications and Public Relations

#84 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

74. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Communications and Public Relations

#85 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

75. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Communications and Public Relations

#86 in North America

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $20,548
Enrollment: 39,679

76. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Communications and Public Relations

#87 in North America

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 84%

77. San Diego State University

California | San Diego

For Communications and Public Relations

#88 in North America

#163 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $9,934
Enrollment: 37,402

78. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Communications and Public Relations

#89 in North America

#168 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $20,782
Enrollment: 42,006

79. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Communications and Public Relations

#90 in North America

#169 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $36,467

80. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Communications and Public Relations

#91 in North America

#172 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,606

81. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Communications and Public Relations

#92 in North America

#173 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

82. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Communications and Public Relations

#93 in North America

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

83. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia | Richmond

For Communications and Public Relations

#95 in North America

#179 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

84. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Colorado | Denver

For Communications and Public Relations

#96 in North America

#180 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1145
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

85. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Communications and Public Relations

#97 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

86. American University in Washington

District of Columbia | Washington

For Communications and Public Relations

#98 in North America

#182 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $41,369

87. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Communications and Public Relations

#99 in North America

#183 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 88%
Average Aid: $10,689
Enrollment: 27,539

88. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Communications and Public Relations

#100 in North America

#186 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

89. Florida International University

Florida | Miami

For Communications and Public Relations

#101 in North America

#187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1155
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

90. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Communications and Public Relations

#102 in North America

#193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 91%

91. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Communications and Public Relations

#103 in North America

#194 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,432

92. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Communications and Public Relations

#104 in North America

#195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $19,208

93. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Communications and Public Relations

#105 in North America

#199 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 86%

94. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Communications and Public Relations

#108 in North America

#204 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

95. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Communications and Public Relations

#109 in North America

#206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

96. Auburn University

Alabama | Auburn

For Communications and Public Relations

#110 in North America

#208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 79%

97. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Communications and Public Relations

#111 in North America

#210 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $9,280

98. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

New York State | New York City

For Communications and Public Relations

#112 in North America

#212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $9,423
Enrollment: 19,854

99. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Communications and Public Relations

#113 in North America

#213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 85%
Average Aid: $5,963

100. DePaul University

Illinois | Chicago

For Communications and Public Relations

#114 in North America

#214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $32,151

The best cities to study Communications and Public Relations in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Ann Arbor, University Park, Seattle, and Tempe.