Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Elizabethtown College

A projected debt load of $26,500 against first-year earnings around $36,600 creates a manageable but not impressive financial picture for this communications degree. Based on comparable programs across Pennsylvania, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72—below the critical 1.0 threshold but still requiring careful budgeting in those early career years when entry-level PR and advertising salaries are notoriously modest.

The real challenge here is that these estimates, drawn from peer programs in Pennsylvania, place Elizabethtown squarely in the middle of the state's communications market. Temple grads reportedly earn $41,000 in their first year while carrying similar debt, giving them considerably more breathing room. Even programs at comparably-sized schools like Susquehanna and York show similar outcomes, suggesting Elizabethtown isn't offering a clear advantage despite its higher sticker price as a private liberal arts college.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether the college's other attributes—small classes, campus culture, career services—justify paying private school rates for middle-of-the-pack outcomes in a competitive field. The financial projections suggest your child would likely manage the debt, but they'd need to be strategic about internships and networking since the earnings gap between average and top-performing communications grads can be substantial. If your student has admission options at Temple or similar programs with stronger reported outcomes, those deserve serious consideration.