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Advertising And Public Relations

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

Entry Level Salary
$50,913
Median Salary
$85,000
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
30.2%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $3,400,000
Entry (Early)
$50,913
Median (Prime)
$85,000
High (Prime)
$81,375

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
+3k
+286k
+257k
$25k / yr
-87k
+196k
+167k
$50k / yr
-177k
+106k
+77k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
60
26
27
$25k / yr
Never
32
33
$50k / yr
Never
41
44

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
∞
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-80%
180%
153%
$50k / yr
-81%
49%
35%
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).

These figures are medians for past graduates who received federal aid. Your cost and pay will differ. Run your own numbers in the Guided ROI Interview →

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate20.1%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.

Top Professions

Management occupations

5.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$65,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$92,685|$126,520
openings
1,081,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.2%

Marketing managers

5.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,954
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$86,233|$166,790
openings
34,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.9%

Market research analysts and marketing specialists

4.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$48,233
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,057|$78,760
openings
82,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7%

Customer service representatives

2.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$51,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,763|$44,770
openings
289,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.3%

Top executives

2.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$74,115
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$170,037|$108,510
openings
305,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%

Public relations specialists

2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,951
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,000|$74,750
openings
23,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1.8%

Elementary and middle school teachers

2.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$38,233
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,951|$64,170
openings
127,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.4%

Human resources workers

2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$53,592
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$85,000|$76,700
openings
78,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,800
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$66,800|$48,520
openings
113,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -3.7%

Management analysts

1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$62,563
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,307|$101,860
openings
94,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +10.1%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 22 to 27 (American Community Survey).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2025–2035).

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 Certificate27$27,858 - $78,057
public relations, advertising, and applied communication.Associate's Degree18$54,879 - $54,879
public relations, advertising, and applied communication.Bachelor's Degree337$18,739 - $90,535
public relations, advertising, and applied communication.Master's Degree87$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 Degree6Data N/A
publishing.Master's Degree8$58,153 - $70,038
radio, television, and digital communication.Undergrad Certificate58$27,726 - $54,680
radio, television, and digital communication.Associate's Degree90$33,290 - $38,045
radio, television, and digital communication.Bachelor's Degree267$22,355 - $103,680
radio, television, and digital communication.Post-bacc Certificate4Data N/A
radio, television, and digital communication.Master's Degree72$58,750 - $118,378
radio, television, and digital communication.Doctoral Degree7Data N/A