Best institutions to study Advertising
A program that focuses on the creation, execution, transmission, and evaluation of commercial messages in various media intended to promote and sell products, services, and brands; and that prepares individuals to function as advertising assistants, technicians, and managers.
90 U.S. institutions graduated 4,542 Advertising students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 09.0903, a specialization of Public Relations (CIP 09.09), and leads most directly to the Advertising and Promotions Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-2011).
About Advertising programs
A program that focuses on the creation, execution, transmission, and evaluation of commercial messages in various media intended to promote and sell products, services, and brands; and that prepares individuals to function as advertising assistants, technicians, and managers. Includes instruction in advertising theory, marketing strategy, advertising design and production methods, campaign methods and techniques, media management, related principles of business management, and applicable technical and equipment skills.
See also: 50.0402 - Commercial and Advertising Art., 09.0900 - Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Advertising (Public Relations) program focuses on the creation, execution, transmission, and evaluation of commercial messages across various media. It is designed for individuals interested in promoting and selling products, services, and brands through effective advertising strategies. Students will learn to function as advertising assistants, technicians, and managers in this dynamic field.
In this program, you will gain core skills in advertising theory, marketing strategy, and campaign methods. Coursework includes instruction in advertising design, media management, and business principles, equipping you with the technical skills necessary for success in the advertising industry.
Credentials awarded
What Advertising graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree4,132 graduates / yr · 77 institutions91%
- Master's degree242 graduates / yr · 12 institutions5.3%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year84 graduates / yr · 7 institutions1.8%
- Associate's degree48 graduates / yr · 7 institutions1.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years13 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship8 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Award of less than 12 weeks4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Advertising completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,769 |
| 2013 | 5,654 |
| 2014 | 5,717 |
| 2015 | 5,787 |
| 2016 | 5,604 |
| 2017 | 5,257 |
| 2018 | 5,352 |
| 2019 | 5,461 |
| 2020 | 4,696 |
| 2021 | 4,837 |
| 2022 | 4,552 |
| 2023 | 4,234 |
| 2024 | 4,218 |
| 2025 | 4,542 |
Top 50 institutions for Advertising, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 561 | 81% | — | $45,158 |
| 2 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 326 | 89% | — | $47,972 |
| 3 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 297 | 72% | — | $42,159 |
| 4 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 253 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 5 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 214 | 85% | — | $48,063 |
| 6 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 202 | 91% | — | $42,099 |
| 7 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 174 | 73% | — | $42,445 |
| 8 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 173 | 75% | — | $41,165 |
| 9 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 170 | 55% | — | $40,411 |
| 10 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor's | 137 | 90% | — | $45,326 |
| 11 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor's | 114 | 78% | — | $37,388 |
| 12 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor's | 110 | 69% | — | $41,023 |
| 13 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 95 | 81% | $13,712 | $51,436 |
| 14 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 94 | 84% | $26,589 | $43,917 |
| 15 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor's | 88 | 79% | — | $42,974 |
| 16 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 87 | 84% | $28,851 | $54,934 |
| 17 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor's | 86 | 74% | — | $42,173 |
| 18 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicBachelor's | 75 | 75% | — | $45,759 |
| 19 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor's | 71 | 75% | — | $36,559 |
| 20 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 62 | 36% | — | — |
| 21 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 58 | 60% | $29,994 | $44,485 |
| 22 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 54 | 84% | $33,246 | $51,828 |
| 23 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 52 | 61% | $35,483 | — |
| 24 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicBachelor's | 52 | 67% | — | $35,116 |
| 25 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor's | 50 | 60% | — | $45,820 |
| 26 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicBachelor's | 47 | 50% | — | $33,280 |
| 27 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 44 | 83% | $25,376 | $40,583 |
| 28 | University of Florida - Online Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor's | 43 | 85% | — | $42,099 |
| 29 | Siena University Loudonville, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 38 | 75% | $30,138 | — |
| 30 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor's | 35 | 75% | — | $42,530 |
| 31 | University of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 34 | 70% | $37,121 | $37,856 |
| 32 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 32 | 43% | $21,535 | $37,307 |
| 33 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor's | 31 | 61% | — | — |
| 34 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicBachelor's | 30 | 69% | — | — |
| 35 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 56% | — | $35,534 |
| 36 | Suffolk University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 25 | 61% | $28,895 | $44,863 |
| 37 | School of Visual Arts New York, NYPrivate for-profitMaster's | 25 | 76% | $58,518 | — |
| 38 | University of Southern Indiana Evansville, INPublicBachelor's | 24 | 48% | — | $34,736 |
| 39 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor's | 24 | 65% | — | — |
| 40 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 24 | 66% | $27,359 | $38,210 |
| 41 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 24 | 41% | — | — |
| 42 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicBachelor's | 23 | 62% | — | $38,020 |
| 43 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicBachelor's | 23 | 62% | — | $39,795 |
| 44 | Pepperdine University Malibu, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 83% | $41,986 | $45,988 |
| 45 | Palomar College San Marcos, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 20 | 38% | — | — |
| 46 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor's | 20 | 64% | — | $42,296 |
| 47 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor's | 20 | 64% | — | $40,867 |
| 48 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 15 | 58% | — | $37,718 |
| 49 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 52% | $28,087 | $39,794 |
| 50 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 12 | 59% | — | $40,346 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Public Relations field (CIP 09.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 32 states & territories
Where Advertising graduates come from. Each state links to all Public Relations programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-2011, Advertising and Promotions Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Advertising (Public Relations) program can pursue careers as Advertising and Promotions Managers or Communications Teachers. The job outlook for this field indicates a decline of 2.2%, with approximately 2,100 annual openings and a median wage of $126,960, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 09.0903
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Advertising and Promotions Managersprimary SOC 11-2011 | $133,660 | -2.2% Decline | ~2,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1122 | $78,580 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~2,700 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Advertising programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Plan and prepare advertising and promotional material to increase sales of products or services, working with customers, company officials, sales departments, and advertising agencies.
- Inspect layouts and advertising copy, and edit scripts, audio, video, and other promotional material for adherence to specifications.
- Confer with department heads or staff to discuss topics such as contracts, selection of advertising media, or product to be advertised.
- Coordinate with the media to disseminate advertising.
- Coordinate activities of departments, such as sales, graphic arts, media, finance, and research.
- Plan and execute advertising policies and strategies for organizations.
Tools and technology used
Other Public Relations specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Public Relations (CIP 09.09).
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCIP 09.09004,140 graduates / yr164 institutions
- Public Relations/CIP 09.0902
Image Management 4,001 graduates / yr144 institutions - Communication Management and Strategic CommunicationsCIP 09.09092,014 graduates / yr64 institutions
- Organizational CommunicationCIP 09.09011,805 graduates / yr79 institutions
- Sports CommunicationCIP 09.09061,470 graduates / yr88 institutions
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCIP 09.09991,142 graduates / yr42 institutions
- Health CommunicationCIP 09.0905361 graduates / yr51 institutions
- Political CommunicationCIP 09.0904partial data190 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Technical and Scientific CommunicationCIP 09.0908168 graduates / yr25 institutions
- International and Intercultural CommunicationCIP 09.0907157 graduates / yr17 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, writing, and marketing, among others.
What are the job prospects after graduation?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 2.2%, but there are about 2,100 annual openings in the field.
What is the median wage for advertising professionals?+
The median wage for advertising professionals is $126,960.
What is the CIP code for Advertising?+
Advertising is CIP 09.0903 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Public Relations (CIP 09.09). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the creation, execution, transmission, and evaluation of commercial messages in various media intended to promote and sell products, services, and brands; and that prepares individuals to function as advertising assistants, technicians, and managers. Includes instruction in advertising theory, marketing strategy, advertising design and production methods, campaign methods and techniques, media management, related principles of business management, and applicable technical and equipment skills.
How many institutions offer Advertising programs?+
90 U.S. institutions reported Advertising graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 32 states & territories, awarding 4,542 credentials in the year. That is 22.7% of all Public Relations graduates.
How much do Advertising graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Advertising and Promotions Managers occupation, which Advertising most directly leads to, pays a median of $133,660 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Public Relations field report median earnings of $41,958 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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