College ROI

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General

Advertising And Public Relations

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Advertising And Public Relations.

Entry Level Salary
$47,898
Median Salary
$82,592
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
31.3%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $3,303,680
Entry (Early)
$47,898
Median (Prime)
$82,592
High (Prime)
$79,052

ROI Sensitivity Analysis
Assuming 4 Years to Graduation

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-24k
+264k
+236k
$25k / yr
-114k
+174k
+146k
$50k / yr
-204k
+84k
+56k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
27
27
$25k / yr
Never
33
34
$50k / yr
Never
43
47

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
$25k / yr
-105%
160%
134%
$50k / yr
-94%
39%
26%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate19.5%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.

Top Professions

Management occupations

5.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$63,366
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$84,952|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Marketing managers

5.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$52,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$83,300|$161,030
openings
34,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.6%

Market research analysts and marketing specialists

4.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$46,856
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,681|$76,950
openings
87,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.7%

Customer service representatives

2.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$49,980
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,000|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%

Top executives

2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$72,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$181,702|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%

Public relations specialists

2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$57,269
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,793|$69,780
openings
27,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.8%

Human resources workers

2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$53,801
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$83,300|$74,220
openings
87,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.8%

Elementary and middle school teachers

2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$44,774
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,275|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$41,650
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,354|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing

1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$48,959
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$98,919|$74,100
openings
142,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
public relations, advertising, and applied communication.Undergrad Certificate33$27,858 - $78,057
public relations, advertising, and applied communication.Associate's Degree23$54,879 - $54,879
public relations, advertising, and applied communication.Bachelor's Degree363$18,739 - $90,535
public relations, advertising, and applied communication.Master's Degree94$43,120 - $126,448
public relations, advertising, and applied communication.Doctoral Degree1Data N/A
public relations, advertising, and applied communication.Graduate Certificate12Data N/A
publishing.Bachelor's Degree7Data N/A
publishing.Master's Degree9$58,153 - $70,038
radio, television, and digital communication.Undergrad Certificate73$27,726 - $73,835
radio, television, and digital communication.Associate's Degree102$33,290 - $39,242
radio, television, and digital communication.Bachelor's Degree287$22,355 - $99,915
radio, television, and digital communication.Post-bacc Certificate7Data N/A
radio, television, and digital communication.Master's Degree80$58,750 - $118,378
radio, television, and digital communication.Doctoral Degree7Data N/A