Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$40,805

Median Earnings

$62,140

Schools Offering

201

ROI Grade

C+

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $55,344Median: $62,14075th: $68,942

Best Schools for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Syracuse University NY · Private	76	$90,535	$38,793	$26,000	C+
2	Southern Methodist University TX · Private	79	$89,330	$40,892	$19,750	B
3	University of Southern California CA · Private	91	$87,946	$32,740	$20,251	B
4	George Washington University DC · Private	88	$85,459	$36,586	$23,250	B+
5	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign IL · Public	93	$83,451	$14,355	$23,250	C+
6	University of Miami FL · Private	78	$82,999	$37,244	$18,000	B
7	Pepperdine University CA · Private	69	$81,417	$58,098	$26,000	C
8	University of San Francisco CA · Private	80	$81,285	$41,431	$23,250	C
9	Brigham Young University UT · Private	94	$80,841	$15,564	$11,975	A
10	The University of Texas at Austin TX · Public	90	$80,221	$19,857	$20,995	B
11	Chapman University CA · Private	64	$80,139	$46,555	$22,625	C
12	Miami University-Hamilton OH · Public	62	$79,710	$11,286	$25,000	C+
13	Miami University-Middletown OH · Public	63	$79,710	$10,809	$25,000	C+
14	Miami University-Oxford OH · Public	54	$79,710	$28,384	$25,000	C+
15	Pace University NY · Private	68	$79,376	$30,892	$25,000	C
16	American University DC · Private	74	$78,410	$41,943	$26,442	C+
17	Endicott College MA · Private	52	$77,253	$40,654	$27,000	C
18	Pacific Union College CA · Private	57	$77,121	$41,008	N/A	-
19	Johnson & Wales University-Providence RI · Private	27	$77,025	$31,027	$24,500	C+
20	Johnson & Wales University-Online RI · Private	21	$77,025	$20,252	$24,500	C+
21	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg PA · Public	59	$76,246	$23,330	$24,693	C+
22	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine PA · Public	59	$76,246	$22,585	$24,693	C+
23	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus PA · Public	62	$76,246	$32,875	$24,693	C+
24	Pennsylvania State University-World Campus PA · Public	63	$76,246	$19,550	$24,693	C+
25	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus OK · Public	83	$76,148	$15,300	$20,718	C+
26	Manhattan University NY · Private	84	$75,594	$27,256	$25,832	D
27	Butler University IN · Private	79	$75,382	$36,041	$26,176	C
28	Assumption University MA · Private	77	$74,900	$29,498	$27,000	C+
29	University of Colorado Boulder CO · Public	80	$74,779	$25,346	$19,433	C+
30	University of Georgia GA · Public	88	$74,531	$13,936	$21,787	C+
31	Quinnipiac University CT · Private	79	$73,547	$40,675	$23,250	C+
32	University of Oregon OR · Public	68	$73,410	$22,182	$21,500	C+
33	University of Rhode Island RI · Public	79	$72,328	$21,440	$23,000	C+
34	Clemson University SC · Public	86	$71,968	$22,253	$23,375	C+
35	Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion IN · Private	62	$71,669	$22,866	$32,082	C
36	Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global IN · Private	61	$71,669	$16,898	$32,082	C
37	Texas Christian University TX · Private	71	$71,186	$36,660	$24,148	C+
38	DePaul University IL · Private	68	$71,045	$30,902	$24,500	C
39	Seton Hall University NJ · Private	73	$70,802	$31,446	$19,439	C+
40	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus OH · Public	32	$70,583	$24,022	$22,519	C+
41	Gonzaga University WA · Private	81	$69,977	$35,119	$26,000	C
42	University of Florida FL · Public	92	$69,600	$6,541	$17,439	B
43	University of Florida-Online FL · Public	91	$69,600	$4,815	$17,439	B
44	Michigan State University MI · Public	79	$69,300	$19,680	$23,899	C+
45	Loyola University Chicago IL · Private	69	$68,942	$36,079	$25,000	C
46	Carthage College WI · Private	51	$68,708	$26,565	N/A	-
47	The University of Alabama AL · Public	64	$68,227	$22,420	$25,000	C
48	Ithaca College NY · Private	62	$68,029	$33,926	$23,250	C
49	Northwood University MI · Private	63	$68,008	$27,232	$20,250	C+
50	Howard University DC · Private	41	$67,881	$50,539	$26,000	C

Below Average Value

Is Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

The financial returns for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication are below average. At $40,805 in average earnings four years out, graduates often face a long payback period, especially at higher-cost institutions. This doesn't mean the field is worthless - it means the financial math demands careful attention to school cost and debt levels.

201 schools offer this major, giving you reasonable options. Compare net prices and graduate earnings at your specific target schools - the range between the best and worst ROI within this field is substantial.

The top school for this major by earnings is George Washington University, where graduates earn $85,459 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

Best Schools for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication by Earnings

Is Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

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