Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Appalachian State University

The big question here isn't the starting salary—it's whether Appalachian State's program can close the gap with stronger NC competitors. At $36,559 in year one, graduates trail the state median by about $1,600 and rank in just the 40th percentile among North Carolina programs. That's real money when you're facing $21,500 in debt. But the trajectory tells a more interesting story: earnings jump 26% by year four to $45,914, suggesting graduates develop marketable skills that employers value with experience. That four-year figure actually exceeds what many programs deliver at graduation.

The debt load deserves attention. At $21,500, it's below both national and state medians, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 means graduates owe roughly seven months' salary—manageable territory. Still, starting nearly $4,000 below top programs like Meredith College or Wingate means your child will spend their first year or two catching up rather than getting ahead. The 89% admission rate suggests less competitive entry, which may contribute to the more modest initial outcomes.

For families prioritizing lower debt over immediate earning power, Appalachian State delivers reasonable value—especially if your child plans to stay in the field long enough to benefit from that solid earnings growth. But if maximizing early career income matters, programs like UNC Charlotte offer similar debt with stronger starting positions.