Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at DePaul University

DePaul's communications graduates start below Chicago's cost of living with $41,234 in year one, but the program's strength reveals itself by year four when earnings jump 41% to $58,268. That trajectory moves graduates from entry-level struggles to solid middle-class stability within their first few years, though it means weathering some lean months early on while peers at North Central or U of I start $7,000+ higher.

The $24,500 debt load is manageable given the earnings curve—it's essentially at the state median and represents just seven months of fourth-year salary. DePaul lands right at the median among Illinois programs (60th percentile), making it neither a standout nor a disappointment within the state's competitive communications landscape. The 64th percentile nationally suggests DePaul's Chicago location provides modest advantages over programs in smaller markets.

For families comfortable with a gradual build rather than immediate payoff, this works. Your child will likely need financial support or careful budgeting in those first couple years, but the robust sample size (100+ graduates) confirms this growth pattern is real, not a fluke. If they're comparing this to Columbia College Chicago down the street, DePaul's faster earnings acceleration justifies similar debt. But if they can access U of I or North Central at comparable cost, those programs deliver better starting positions.