Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at California State University-Long Beach

The small sample size here demands caution, but the numbers tell a troubling story: graduates earn just $28,226 their first year—roughly $11,000 below California's median for this field and nearly $12,000 below the national benchmark. This places the program in the bottom quartile statewide and bottom 5% nationally. When nearby San Diego State produces PR graduates earning $44,197 and even accounting for CSU Long Beach's lower tuition advantage, that earnings gap is substantial enough to erase any cost savings within a few years.

The debt load of $23,012 sits right at the state median, which means the real issue is the income side of the equation. In a field where entry-level earnings can vary widely based on employer and location, these graduates appear to be landing roles well below what the competitive Southern California market typically offers communications professionals. Given that nearly half the students here receive Pell grants, these below-market salaries hit particularly hard for families counting on a solid return.

With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these figures could shift dramatically with a larger sample. But right now, families should recognize they're looking at first-year earnings that would make student loan payments a significant burden. If your student is set on this field at a CSU, the data suggests looking closely at what San Diego State's program offers differently—or questioning whether this particular major delivers the career outcomes your family needs.