Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Drake University

Drake University graduates in this communications program earn $44,492 in their first year—well above the national median of $39,794 and placing them in the 83rd percentile nationally. Within Iowa, Drake sits comfortably in the 60th percentile among 17 programs, trailing only University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State by small margins. The stronger showing comes from robust earnings growth: that initial salary jumps 30% to $58,012 by year four, suggesting graduates are advancing quickly in their careers rather than hitting an early ceiling.

The $23,250 in median debt translates to a manageable 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio—graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary, which is actually slightly below the national median debt of $24,625 for this field. This combination of above-average starting pay and below-average debt creates a favorable financial profile, especially for a private university where families often expect higher debt loads.

The program's strength appears to be in career trajectory rather than just starting salary. While you're not getting the absolute highest first-year earnings in Iowa (Northern Iowa edges Drake by about $700), the 30% growth rate suggests graduates are finding opportunities for advancement. For a moderately selective private school in Des Moines—a city with a surprisingly strong insurance and corporate communications sector—this represents solid value in a field where earnings can vary widely based on industry placement.