Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Florida A&M's public relations program produces the lowest first-year earnings among Florida's 23 programs—more than $13,000 below the University of Miami and nearly $8,000 under the state median. At $28,516 initially, graduates earn roughly 28% less than the national median for this major, placing the program in the bottom 5% nationally. The debt burden of $26,625 exceeds both state and national medians, creating a first-year ratio that approaches 1:1.

The 28% earnings growth to $36,510 by year four is noteworthy and helps close the gap somewhat, reaching the state median. However, even this improved figure trails Florida State by $4,500 and remains below what typical graduates earn nationally right out of school. For a selective university (21% admission rate) serving a predominantly lower-income population (56% Pell recipients), these outcomes suggest the program may not be delivering the career acceleration students need.

Parents should recognize this as a high-risk choice within an already modest-earning field. While the debt is manageable in absolute terms, the combination of bottom-tier starting salaries and competitive pressure from stronger Florida programs means graduates will likely need family support or side income in those crucial first years. If your child is set on this field, the in-state alternatives at UF or FSU offer significantly better earning potential for similar or lower debt.