Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Emerson College

Emerson's communications program starts at a concerning $28,606 in the first year—ranking in just the 10th percentile among Massachusetts programs and well below the state median of $46,383. That means nine out of ten comparable programs in the state deliver better first-year outcomes. For context, grads from nearby Assumption University earn $51,114, nearly double what Emerson grads make initially.

However, the earnings trajectory tells a more complex story. By year four, median earnings jump to $60,272, representing 111% growth and surpassing both state and national medians. This suggests the program may serve industries where entry-level positions pay poorly but career progression happens quickly—think agency work or media careers where you pay dues early. The debt load of $24,625 is manageable relative to later earnings, with a 0.86 debt-to-earnings ratio based on first-year income.

The real question is whether your family can absorb that difficult first year or two financially. If your child needs to immediately cover living expenses in an expensive city like Boston, that $28,606 starting salary creates real hardship. But if they can get through the early career phase—perhaps with parental support or shared housing—the trajectory improves substantially. Just know they'll be starting significantly behind peers from other Massachusetts programs.