Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs

CIP 0909 · Communication & Journalism · ranked by median earnings four years after completion

202 institutions report graduate earnings for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $62,661 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37× and 82% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 9 of the 225 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.

National ranking

#	Institution	Earn 4yr	% > threshold	Median debt	Debt/earn	Earnings premium	2 of 3 yrs
1	School of Visual ArtsNY · Master's	$126,448 n=24	–	$60,806	0.48×	Above +78%	–
2	Georgetown UniversityDC · Master's	$115,091 n=176	94% 5yr	$49,149	0.43×	Above +33%	Clears 2/2
3	George Washington UniversityDC · Master's	$101,932 n=118	92% 5yr	$51,254	0.50×	Above +18%	Clears 2/2
4	American UniversityDC · Master's	$97,932 n=40	100% 5yr	$53,268	0.54×	Above +13%	Below 1/2
5	Northwestern UniversityIL · Master's	$96,250 n=67	86% 5yr	$54,057	0.56×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
6	Syracuse UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$90,535 n=233	96% 5yr	$24,375	0.27×	Above +138%	Clears 2/2
7	Boston UniversityMA · Master's	$90,212 n=77	91% 5yr	$39,224	0.43×	Above +19%	Below 1/2
8	Marist UniversityNY · Master's	$90,060 n=71	78% 5yr	$20,656	0.23×	Above +27%	Clears 2/2
9	University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Master's	$89,760 n=47	82% 5yr	$82,426	0.92×	Above +19%	Below 1/2
10	Southern Methodist UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$89,330 n=37	92% 5yr	$19,500	0.22×	Above +150%	Clears 2/2
11	California Baptist UniversityCA · Master's	$89,265 n=19	84% 5yr	$23,171	0.26×	Above +19%	Below 1/2
12	University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Bachelor's	$87,946 n=83	82% 5yr	$19,500	0.22×	Above +129%	Clears 2/2
13	Syracuse UniversityNY · Master's	$87,500 n=191	88% 1yr	$71,289	0.81×	Above +23%	–
14	Trinity Washington UniversityDC · Master's	$86,961 n=18	95% 1yr	$41,000	0.47×	Above +1%	–
15	George Washington UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$85,459 n=46	98% 5yr	$23,250	0.27×	Above +137%	Clears 2/2
16	Hofstra UniversityNY · Master's	$85,300 n=22	–	$45,018	0.53×	Above +20%	–
17	DePaul UniversityIL · Master's	$83,583 n=48	91% 5yr	$34,969	0.42×	Above +22%	Clears 2/2
18	The University of Texas at AustinTX · Master's	$83,467 n=32	94% 5yr	$47,657	0.57×	Above +27%	Clears 2/2
19	University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Bachelor's	$83,451 n=200	83%	$21,875	0.26×	Above +121%	Clears 2/2
20	University of MiamiFL · Bachelor's	$82,999 n=95	82% 5yr	$17,000	0.20×	Above +146%	Clears 2/2
21	Pepperdine UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$81,417 n=96	94%	$24,112	0.30×	Above +112%	Clears 2/2
22	CUNY City CollegeNY · Master's	$81,401 n=37	91% 5yr	$41,000	0.50×	Above +15%	Clears 2/2
23	University of San FranciscoCA · Bachelor's	$81,285 n=36	96% 5yr	$24,000	0.29×	Above +111%	Clears 2/2
24	Texas Tech UniversityTX · Master's	$81,195 n=48	95% 1yr	$22,489	0.28×	Above +24%	–
25	Brigham Young UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$80,841 n=98	100%	$11,974	0.15×	Above +103%	Clears 2/2
26	The University of Texas at AustinTX · Bachelor's	$80,221 n=366	77%	$20,402	0.25×	Above +124%	Clears 2/2
27	Chapman UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$80,139 n=69	82% 5yr	$22,250	0.28×	Above +108%	Clears 2/2
28	University of OregonOR · Master's	$79,716 n=21	97% 1yr	$29,606	0.37×	Above +28%	–
29	Miami University-HamiltonOH · Bachelor's	$79,710 n=205	79%	$23,500	0.29×	Above +117%	Clears 2/2
30	Miami University-MiddletownOH · Bachelor's	$79,710 n=205	79%	$23,500	0.29×	Above +117%	Clears 2/2
31	Miami University-OxfordOH · Bachelor's	$79,710 n=205	79%	$23,500	0.29×	Above +117%	Clears 2/2
32	Pace UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$79,376 n=131	79% 5yr	$24,525	0.31×	Above +109%	Clears 2/2
33	American UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$78,410 n=130	95% 5yr	$26,442	0.34×	Above +117%	Clears 2/2
34	West Virginia UniversityWV · Master's	$78,276 n=210	97% 5yr	$39,224	0.50×	Above +50%	Clears 2/2
35	Northern Arizona UniversityAZ · UG cert	$78,057 n=27	85% 5yr	$20,145	0.26×	Above +112%	Clears 2/2
36	Florida State UniversityFL · Master's	$77,547 n=51	96% 5yr	$31,020	0.40×	Above +40%	Clears 2/2
37	Endicott CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$77,253 n=26	82% 5yr	$24,000	0.31×	Above +78%	Clears 2/2
38	Pacific Union CollegeCA · Bachelor's	$77,121 n=16	–	$31,166	0.40×	Above +101%	–
39	Johnson & Wales University-OnlineRI · Bachelor's	$77,025 n=42	83% 5yr	$24,500	0.32×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
40	Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceRI · Bachelor's	$77,025 n=42	83% 5yr	$24,500	0.32×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
41	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Master's	$76,478 n=40	76% 1yr	$44,159	0.58×	Above +25%	–
42	Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Master's	$76,478 n=40	76% 1yr	$44,159	0.58×	Above +25%	–
43	Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Bachelor's	$76,246 n=306	54%	$23,250	0.30×	Above +102%	Clears 2/2
44	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BrandywinePA · Bachelor's	$76,246 n=306	54%	$23,250	0.30×	Above +102%	–
45	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgPA · Bachelor's	$76,246 n=306	54%	$23,250	0.30×	Above +102%	Clears 2/2
46	Pennsylvania State University-World CampusPA · Bachelor's	$76,246 n=306	54%	$23,250	0.30×	Above +102%	Clears 2/2
47	University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOK · Bachelor's	$76,148 n=49	73% 1yr	$20,718	0.27×	Above +115%	Clears 2/2
48	Manhattan UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$75,594 n=21	–	$21,500	0.28×	Above +99%	Clears 2/2
49	Butler UniversityIN · Bachelor's	$75,382 n=18	83% 5yr	$26,588	0.35×	Above +101%	Clears 2/2
50	Assumption UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$74,900 n=49	92% 5yr	$27,000	0.36×	Above +72%	Clears 2/2
51	University of Colorado BoulderCO · Bachelor's	$74,779 n=176	69% 1yr	$18,500	0.25×	Above +80%	–
52	University of GeorgiaGA · Bachelor's	$74,531 n=238	95%	$18,750	0.25×	Above +111%	Clears 2/2
53	Quinnipiac UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$73,547 n=77	95% 5yr	$23,250	0.32×	Above +74%	Clears 2/2
54	University of OregonOR · Bachelor's	$73,410 n=456	73%	$20,500	0.28×	Above +100%	Clears 2/2
55	University of GeorgiaGA · UG cert	$72,626 n=30	100% 5yr	$18,500	0.26×	Above +106%	Clears 2/2
56	University of Rhode IslandRI · Bachelor's	$72,328 n=130	93% 5yr	$22,214	0.31×	Above +72%	Clears 2/2
57	Clemson UniversitySC · Bachelor's	$71,968 n=18	–	$21,375	0.30×	Above +109%	–
58	Sacred Heart UniversityCT · Master's	$71,686 n=22	83% 1yr	$32,013	0.45×	Below -4%	Below 2/2
59	Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionIN · Bachelor's	$71,669 n=33	69% 1yr	$26,563	0.37×	Above +91%	–
60	Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalIN · Bachelor's	$71,669 n=33	69% 1yr	$26,563	0.37×	Above +91%	–
61	Monmouth UniversityNJ · Master's	$71,664 n=21	–	–	–	Below -7%	–
62	St. John's University-New YorkNY · Master's	$71,471 n=22	65% 1yr	$37,265	0.52×	Above +1%	Below 1/2
63	Texas Christian UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$71,186 n=87	94% 5yr	$23,668	0.33×	Above +99%	Clears 2/2
64	DePaul UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$71,045 n=378	76%	$22,332	0.31×	Above +88%	Clears 2/2
65	Seton Hall UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$70,802 n=30	60% 1yr	$18,969	0.27×	Above +77%	–
66	Bowling Green State University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's	$70,583 n=28	86% 5yr	$22,519	0.32×	Above +92%	Clears 2/2
67	Southern New Hampshire UniversityNH · Master's	$70,574 n=247	31%	$44,769	0.63×	Above +4%	Below 1/2
68	Drexel UniversityPA · Master's	$70,518 n=33	69% 1yr	$58,556	0.83×	Above +10%	–
69	Gonzaga UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$69,977 n=38	89% 5yr	$26,000	0.37×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
70	Fashion Institute of TechnologyNY · Bachelor's	$69,954 n=376	57%	$20,500	0.29×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
71	University of FloridaFL · Bachelor's	$69,600 n=407	77%	$15,321	0.22×	Above +106%	Clears 2/2
72	University of Florida-OnlineFL · Bachelor's	$69,600 n=407	77%	$15,321	0.22×	Above +106%	Clears 2/2
73	Michigan State UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$69,300 n=576	59%	$22,605	0.33×	Above +98%	Clears 2/2
74	Loyola University ChicagoIL · Bachelor's	$68,942 n=125	94% 5yr	$23,250	0.34×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
75	Carthage CollegeWI · Bachelor's	$68,708 n=19	96% 5yr	$27,000	0.39×	Above +76%	Clears 2/2
76	The University of AlabamaAL · Bachelor's	$68,227 n=352	66%	$24,889	0.36×	Above +98%	Clears 2/2
77	Ithaca CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$68,029 n=182	68%	$23,125	0.34×	Above +79%	Clears 2/2
78	Northwood UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$68,008 n=22	91% 5yr	$18,250	0.27×	Above +94%	Clears 2/2
79	Howard UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$67,881 n=110	66% 1yr	$25,750	0.38×	Above +88%	–
80	Temple UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$67,840 n=444	86%	$23,827	0.35×	Above +80%	Clears 2/2
81	Illinois State UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$67,752 n=101	84%	$21,500	0.32×	Above +80%	Clears 2/2
82	St. John's University-New YorkNY · Bachelor's	$67,728 n=94	92%	$26,000	0.38×	Above +78%	Clears 2/2
83	Long Island UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$67,704 n=21	83% 5yr	$25,000	0.37×	Above +78%	Clears 2/2
84	Washington State UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$67,647 n=215	73% 1yr	$19,112	0.28×	Above +59%	–
85	South Dakota State UniversitySD · Bachelor's	$67,607 n=28	97% 5yr	$24,499	0.36×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
86	San Diego State UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$67,414 n=117	98% 5yr	$16,111	0.24×	Above +75%	Clears 2/2
87	Auburn UniversityAL · Bachelor's	$67,413 n=61	81% 5yr	$23,000	0.34×	Above +96%	Clears 2/2
88	Webster UniversityMO · Master's	$67,174 n=36	91% 5yr	$59,664	0.89×	Above +16%	Clears 2/2
89	Belmont UniversityTN · Bachelor's	$67,040 n=25	86% 5yr	$25,062	0.37×	Above +92%	Clears 2/2
90	Columbia College ChicagoIL · Bachelor's	$66,798 n=103	68%	$24,225	0.36×	Above +77%	Clears 2/2
91	Hofstra UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$66,780 n=80	86% 5yr	$23,250	0.35×	Above +76%	Clears 2/2
92	Drexel UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$66,750 n=60	62% 1yr	$24,249	0.36×	Above +77%	–
93	Suffolk UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$66,709 n=79	72% 1yr	$26,012	0.39×	Above +53%	Clears 2/2
94	Central Washington UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$66,538 n=46	89% 5yr	$20,250	0.30×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
95	The University of Texas at ArlingtonTX · Bachelor's	$66,454 n=155	73%	$19,362	0.29×	Above +86%	Clears 2/2
96	Florida State UniversityFL · Bachelor's	$65,941 n=121	69%	$14,442	0.22×	Above +95%	Clears 2/2
97	University of VermontVT · Bachelor's	$65,706 n=94	93% 5yr	$21,070	0.32×	Above +68%	Clears 2/2
98	Florida International UniversityFL · Bachelor's	$65,343 n=31	52% 1yr	$11,572	0.18×	Above +93%	–
99	University of South Carolina-ColumbiaSC · Bachelor's	$65,248 n=239	100%	$22,990	0.35×	Above +90%	Clears 2/2
100	Marquette UniversityWI · Bachelor's	$64,978 n=141	78%	$24,286	0.37×	Above +67%	Clears 2/2
101	Georgia Southern UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$64,934 n=105	85%	$23,250	0.36×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
102	Duquesne UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$64,538 n=72	92% 5yr	$23,250	0.36×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
103	Kennesaw State UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$64,501 n=182	70% 1yr	$22,660	0.35×	Above +83%	–
104	Western Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$64,127 n=157	89%	$25,146	0.39×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
105	Franklin UniversityOH · Bachelor's	$64,101 n=53	78% 5yr	$26,332	0.41×	Above +74%	Clears 2/2
106	University of Northern IowaIA · Bachelor's	$64,067 n=44	94% 5yr	$19,500	0.30×	Above +66%	Clears 2/2
107	Rider UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$63,612 n=33	82% 5yr	$25,000	0.39×	Above +59%	Clears 2/2
108	The University of TampaFL · Bachelor's	$63,368 n=89	84% 5yr	$23,375	0.37×	Above +88%	Clears 2/2
109	The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTN · Bachelor's	$63,314 n=124	86% 5yr	$21,119	0.33×	Above +81%	Clears 2/2
110	Drake UniversityIA · Bachelor's	$63,302 n=60	98% 5yr	$21,500	0.34×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
111	Iowa State UniversityIA · Bachelor's	$62,965 n=220	46%	$23,125	0.37×	Above +63%	Clears 2/2
112	University of KentuckyKY · Bachelor's	$62,754 n=167	83%	$23,000	0.37×	Above +81%	Clears 2/2
113	Rowan UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$62,661 n=191	69%	$18,159	0.29×	Above +57%	Clears 2/2
114	Central Connecticut State UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$62,580 n=57	60% 1yr	$20,158	0.32×	Above +48%	–
115	Siena Heights UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$62,530 n=32	–	$16,493	0.26×	Above +78%	Clears 2/2
116	High Point UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$62,467 n=48	–	–	–	Above +82%	–
117	Biola UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$62,319 n=21	62% 1yr	$20,000	0.32×	Above +62%	–
118	University of PortlandOR · Bachelor's	$62,264 n=36	84% 5yr	$17,509	0.28×	Above +70%	Clears 2/2
119	Texas Tech UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$62,247 n=323	37%	$20,250	0.33×	Above +74%	Clears 2/2
120	University of Central FloridaFL · Bachelor's	$62,140 n=72	42%	$17,883	0.29×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
121	Loras CollegeIA · Bachelor's	$62,087 n=23	85% 5yr	$26,290	0.42×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
122	Baldwin Wallace UniversityOH · Bachelor's	$61,966 n=22	93% 5yr	$22,125	0.36×	Above +68%	Clears 2/2
123	University of Central MissouriMO · Bachelor's	$61,784 n=32	74% 5yr	$26,000	0.42×	Above +73%	Clears 2/2
124	University of North Carolina at CharlotteNC · Bachelor's	$61,700 n=20	70% 1yr	$19,500	0.32×	Above +80%	–
125	Utah State UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$61,674 n=18	61% 1yr	–	–	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
126	Boise State UniversityID · UG cert	$61,544 n=32	96% 5yr	$22,248	0.36×	Above +73%	Clears 2/2
127	Susquehanna UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$61,423 n=53	83% 5yr	$27,000	0.44×	Above +63%	Clears 2/2
128	Simpson CollegeIA · Bachelor's	$61,219 n=18	–	$22,716	0.37×	Above +59%	–
129	University of Nebraska-LincolnNE · Bachelor's	$61,145 n=250	60%	$22,102	0.36×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
130	Ball State UniversityIN · Bachelor's	$60,686 n=145	95% 5yr	$23,250	0.38×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
131	University of Wisconsin-OshkoshWI · Bachelor's	$60,672 n=32	90% 1yr	$22,166	0.36×	Above +56%	–
132	Xavier UniversityOH · Bachelor's	$60,642 n=57	88% 5yr	$26,515	0.44×	Above +65%	Clears 2/2
133	North Central CollegeIL · Bachelor's	$60,573 n=27	91% 5yr	$20,649	0.34×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
134	Coe CollegeIA · Bachelor's	$60,540 n=21	95% 5yr	$27,000	0.45×	Above +57%	Clears 2/2
135	Missouri State University-SpringfieldMO · Bachelor's	$60,390 n=76	81% 5yr	$22,505	0.37×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
136	Kent State University at KentOH · Bachelor's	$60,218 n=108	95% 5yr	$24,417	0.41×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
137	University of HoustonTX · Bachelor's	$60,180 n=156	100%	$18,750	0.31×	Above +68%	Clears 2/2
138	Lewis UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$59,981 n=24	–	–	–	Above +59%	–
139	Eastern Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$59,927 n=31	–	$26,590	0.44×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
140	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's	$59,864 n=79	53% 1yr	$19,500	0.33×	Above +63%	–
141	Southern New Hampshire UniversityNH · Bachelor's	$59,801 n=470	29%	$19,790	0.33×	Above +35%	Clears 2/2
142	Central Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$59,522 n=230	63%	$27,000	0.45×	Above +70%	Clears 2/2
143	Eastern Illinois UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$59,401 n=29	–	$23,250	0.39×	Above +58%	–
144	Emerson CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$59,301 n=33	–	$23,719	0.40×	Above +36%	Clears 2/2
145	Wayne State UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$59,025 n=62	81% 5yr	$24,055	0.41×	Above +68%	Clears 2/2
146	Texas State UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$59,009 n=468	56%	$19,536	0.33×	Above +65%	Clears 2/2
147	State University of New York at PlattsburghNY · Bachelor's	$58,888 n=40	83% 5yr	$24,390	0.41×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
148	SUNY at FredoniaNY · Bachelor's	$58,820 n=45	88% 5yr	$22,325	0.38×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
149	State University of New York at OswegoNY · Bachelor's	$58,675 n=80	86% 5yr	$23,750	0.41×	Above +54%	Clears 2/2
150	Bradley UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$58,515 n=104	77%	$25,000	0.43×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
151	Tulane University of LouisianaLA · Bachelor's	$58,507 n=29	–	$27,000	0.46×	Above +68%	–
152	Murray State UniversityKY · Bachelor's	$58,265 n=95	59%	$21,235	0.36×	Above +68%	Clears 2/2
153	University of MemphisTN · Bachelor's	$58,237 n=23	74% 1yr	$21,250	0.36×	Above +67%	–
154	Southeast Missouri State UniversityMO · Bachelor's	$58,082 n=79	90% 5yr	$24,908	0.43×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
155	Otterbein UniversityOH · Bachelor's	$58,065 n=33	50% 1yr	$20,500	0.35×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
156	Rochester Institute of TechnologyNY · Bachelor's	$57,748 n=16	–	$26,500	0.46×	Above +52%	–
157	University of KentuckyKY · UG cert	$57,711 n=27	–	$25,000	0.43×	Above +66%	–
158	Grand Valley State UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$57,599 n=213	58%	$25,000	0.43×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
159	Olivet Nazarene UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$56,435 n=21	–	$27,000	0.48×	Above +50%	–
160	Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's	$56,381 n=173	49%	$26,000	0.46×	Above +50%	–
161	Oklahoma State University-Main CampusOK · Bachelor's	$56,319 n=151	86% 5yr	$21,250	0.38×	Above +59%	Clears 2/2
162	Northwest UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$56,136 n=25	86% 5yr	$22,497	0.40×	Above +32%	Clears 2/2
163	Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended EducationWA · Bachelor's	$56,136 n=25	86% 5yr	–	–	Above +32%	–
164	University of IdahoID · Bachelor's	$56,032 n=102	78%	$24,634	0.44×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
165	Northern Arizona UniversityAZ · Bachelor's	$55,863 n=158	74%	$20,500	0.37×	Above +52%	Clears 2/2
166	Appalachian State UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$55,671 n=205	59%	$18,836	0.34×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
167	Point Park UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$55,545 n=20	93% 5yr	$27,000	0.49×	Above +47%	Clears 2/2
168	Utica UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$55,344 n=16	83% 5yr	$25,000	0.45×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
169	York College of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's	$55,197 n=34	100% 5yr	$25,250	0.46×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
170	Cleveland State UniversityOH · Bachelor's	$55,174 n=188	35%	$21,500	0.39×	Above +50%	Clears 2/2
171	Morgan State UniversityMD · Bachelor's	$55,169 n=33	77% 5yr	$31,000	0.56×	Above +31%	Below 1/2
172	Lindenwood UniversityMO · Bachelor's	$55,003 n=47	45%	$23,718	0.43×	Above +54%	Clears 2/2
173	Fashion Institute of TechnologyNY · Associate	$54,879 n=285	49%	$11,000	0.20×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
174	North Dakota State University-Main CampusND · Bachelor's	$54,656 n=63	100%	$21,968	0.40×	Above +33%	Clears 2/2
175	University of Southern IndianaIN · Bachelor's	$54,422 n=55	86% 5yr	$25,135	0.46×	Above +45%	Clears 2/2
176	Franklin CollegeIN · Bachelor's	$54,298 n=34	–	$27,000	0.50×	Above +45%	–
177	Webster UniversityMO · Bachelor's	$54,217 n=33	85% 5yr	$19,374	0.36×	Above +52%	Clears 2/2
178	Arkansas State UniversityAR · Bachelor's	$54,196 n=40	81% 1yr	$23,250	0.43×	Above +59%	–
179	Wingate UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$54,129 n=30	89% 5yr	$21,629	0.40×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
180	Widener UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$53,906 n=18	–	$27,000	0.50×	Above +43%	–
181	Western Kentucky UniversityKY · Bachelor's	$53,839 n=102	85% 5yr	$25,000	0.46×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
182	Full Sail UniversityFL · Master's	$53,820 n=124	61%	$38,253	0.71×	Below -3%	Below 2/2
183	University of ScrantonPA · Bachelor's	$53,762 n=35	90% 5yr	$26,000	0.48×	Above +43%	Clears 2/2
184	Flagler CollegeFL · Bachelor's	$53,353 n=84	56% 1yr	$18,956	0.35×	Above +58%	–
185	Loyola University New OrleansLA · Bachelor's	$53,240 n=33	81% 5yr	$24,735	0.47×	Above +53%	Clears 2/2
186	Minnesota State University MoorheadMN · Bachelor's	$53,036 n=46	90% 5yr	$19,042	0.36×	Above +33%	Clears 2/2
187	California Baptist UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$52,904 n=35	–	$23,000	0.43×	Above +38%	Clears 2/2
188	Florida Southern CollegeFL · Bachelor's	$52,796 n=56	90% 5yr	$25,710	0.49×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
189	Calvin UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$52,281 n=16	–	–	–	Above +49%	–
190	University of Akron Main CampusOH · Bachelor's	$51,824 n=91	92%	$25,965	0.50×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
191	Wilmington UniversityDE · Bachelor's	$51,766 n=23	–	$27,084	0.52×	Above +35%	–
192	Murray State UniversityKY · Master's	$51,638 n=17	–	–	–	Below -9%	–
193	Harding UniversityAR · Bachelor's	$51,434 n=54	75% 5yr	$26,767	0.52×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
194	Ferris State UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$51,396 n=47	88% 5yr	$22,504	0.44×	Above +47%	Clears 2/2
195	Campbell UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$51,126 n=21	–	$21,750	0.42×	Above +49%	–
196	University of Louisiana at LafayetteLA · Bachelor's	$51,082 n=60	57%	$24,625	0.48×	Above +47%	Clears 2/2
197	Mercy UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$50,973 n=22	–	$22,500	0.44×	Above +34%	–
198	University of Central OklahomaOK · Bachelor's	$50,636 n=110	65%	$20,000	0.40×	Above +43%	Clears 2/2
199	Metropolitan State University of DenverCO · Bachelor's	$50,478 n=42	48%	$23,096	0.46×	Above +21%	Below 1/2
200	Northern Kentucky UniversityKY · Bachelor's	$49,989 n=60	83% 5yr	$24,225	0.48×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
201	The University of Texas at El PasoTX · Bachelor's	$49,558 n=97	58%	$20,200	0.41×	Above +39%	Clears 2/2
202	Capital UniversityOH · Bachelor's	$49,426 n=28	71% 5yr	$27,000	0.55×	Above +34%	Clears 2/2
203	Eastern Kentucky UniversityKY · Bachelor's	$49,272 n=27	89% 5yr	$25,000	0.51×	Above +42%	Clears 2/2
204	Morehead State UniversityKY · Bachelor's	$46,667 n=47	64% 5yr	$24,000	0.51×	Above +34%	Clears 2/2
205	University of Central ArkansasAR · Bachelor's	$45,649 n=46	77% 5yr	$20,500	0.45×	Above +34%	Clears 2/2
206	Illinois Media SchoolIL · UG cert	$44,556 n=48	39% 1yr	$10,666	0.24×	Above +18%	–
207	Illinois Media School-Chicago CampusIL · UG cert	$44,556 n=48	39% 1yr	$10,666	0.24×	Above +18%	–
208	College of the OzarksMO · Bachelor's	$44,554 n=16	–	–	–	Above +25%	Clears 2/2
209	Grand Canyon UniversityAZ · Bachelor's	$44,335 n=21	–	$24,956	0.56×	Above +21%	–
210	Ashland UniversityOH · Bachelor's	$43,296 n=35	95% 5yr	$27,000	0.62×	Above +18%	Clears 2/2
211	Universidad del Sagrado CorazonPR · Master's	$43,120 n=41	77% 5yr	$14,167	0.33×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
212	Full Sail UniversityFL · Bachelor's	$42,719 n=52	48% 1yr	$30,500	0.71×	Above +26%	–
213	Lee UniversityTN · Bachelor's	$41,882 n=57	63%	$27,000	0.65×	Above +20%	Below 1/2
214	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityFL · Bachelor's	$41,861 n=48	54%	$26,000	0.62×	Above +24%	Clears 2/2
215	Benedict CollegeSC · Bachelor's	$41,158 n=32	36% 1yr	$36,250	0.88×	Above +20%	–
216	University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasPR · Bachelor's	$40,173 n=67	30%	$5,500	0.14×	Above +144%	Clears 2/2
217	Colorado Media SchoolCO · UG cert	$31,473 n=31	–	$15,833	0.50×	Below -24%	–
218	Ohio Media School-ColumbusOH · UG cert	$31,473 n=31	–	$15,833	0.50×	Below -15%	–
219	Ohio Media School-Valley ViewOH · UG cert	$31,473 n=31	–	$15,833	0.50×	Below -15%	–
220	Universidad del Sagrado CorazonPR · Bachelor's	$31,189 n=67	40%	$12,500	0.40×	Above +90%	Clears 2/2
221	Miami Media SchoolFL · UG cert	$27,858 n=44	–	$9,500	0.34×	Below -18%	–
222	Ohio Media School-CincinnatiOH · UG cert	$27,858 n=44	–	$9,500	0.34×	Below -24%	–
223	Inter American University of Puerto Rico-PoncePR · Bachelor's	$27,248 n=18	–	–	–	Above +66%	–
224	Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey CampusPR · Bachelor's	$24,947 n=16	–	$15,570	0.62×	Above +52%	–
225	University of Puerto Rico-CarolinaPR · Bachelor's	$18,739 n=16	47% 5yr	–	–	Above +14%	Clears 2/2

% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years, the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.

By state, median earnings, 4 yrs out

State	Median earn 4yr	Programs
District of Columbia	$86,961	7
California	$80,712	10
Rhode Island	$77,025	3
Massachusetts	$74,900	5
Oregon	$73,410	3
Connecticut	$71,686	3
Texas	$68,820	10
Georgia	$68,780	4
Arizona	$68,171	6
New York	$68,029	21
New Jersey	$67,207	4
Washington	$66,538	5
Indiana	$66,178	6
Pennsylvania	$65,644	14
South Carolina	$65,248	3
Wisconsin	$64,978	3
Illinois	$63,686	14
Florida	$62,754	14
Iowa	$62,526	6
Tennessee	$60,776	4
Michigan	$59,725	10
Ohio	$59,142	16
Missouri	$58,082	7
Oklahoma	$56,319	3
North Carolina	$55,671	5

States with at least 3 reporting Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs, by median graduate earnings.

Frequently asked

Which colleges have the highest-paying Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs?

By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs in this dataset are School of Visual Arts ($126,448), Georgetown University ($115,091), George Washington University ($101,932). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.

Are Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?

Indicatively, 9 of the 225 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.

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Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.