Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Carthage College

The $64,000 question here is whether year-four earnings of $63,282 tell the real story, because the first-year estimate of $39,794 sits well below what similar programs in Wisconsin typically produce—around $43,311. When peer programs across the state show stronger early earnings, it suggests this program may take longer to deliver financial returns, which matters when you're carrying an estimated $25,832 in debt.

That debt figure, based on comparable programs at similar private colleges, isn't outrageous—it's roughly in line with state and national norms. But paired with those estimated first-year earnings, it creates a tighter financial picture than you'd find at Wisconsin programs that help graduates land stronger entry positions. The substantial jump to year four hints that communication careers build momentum, though without actual graduate data from Carthage, it's hard to know whether this trajectory is typical for their alumni or an optimistic projection.

For parents weighing this investment, the key uncertainty is whether Carthage's specific career services, alumni network, and industry connections can help students beat that modest first-year benchmark. A direct conversation with the department about job placement rates and where recent graduates actually land would clarify whether this program positions students for the stronger outcomes seen at UW-Oshkosh, or if you're banking on a multi-year climb from a lower starting point.